In a move to tighten control over the sale of hemp products in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has taken a significant step by issuing an executive order aimed at protecting children from these goods. Despite the state legislature's lack of action to impose an age restriction, Abbott has directed several agencies to enforce new rules that will closely monitor and regulate this burgeoning industry. According to a statement on the Office of the Texas Governor's official website, this initiative aims both to shield youngsters and uphold the rights of adults who use these products responsibly.
The executive order lays out clear directives as it tasks the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) with a multifaceted approach to clamp down on the sale to minors. One notable measure is the mandate that sellers verify a government-issued ID at the point of sale, a failure of which could lead to the revocation of a retailer’s license. As mentioned on the Office of the Texas Governor's official website, Abbott proclaimed, "Texas will not wait when it comes to protecting children and families." He argues that although a legislative framework would be ideal, his executive order serves to "make sure that kids are kept safe and parents have peace of mind now."
The initiative does not stop at point-of-sale precautions. The DSHS is also expected to reassess existing regulations to bolster consumer protection measures, such as enhancing testing and labeling of cbd products, revising licensing fees to fund enforcement, and advancing record-keeping for agency oversight. These efforts appear to be directed at fostering an environment where consumers are sufficiently informed about the hemp-derived products they purchase.
Furthermore, this executive decree calls for an interagency collaboration between DSHS, TABC, and DPS to strengthen enforcement statewide, in concert with local law enforcement. Alongside enforcement action, Abbott's order includes a provision for a comprehensive study, involving multiple state agencies, to explore a regulatory framework akin to the one outlined in House Bill 309, which did not pass the legislature. This proposed system would crack down on abuse while preserving lawful access for adults to hemp-derived products.
