THBC and TCPC Applauds Governor Abbott's Executive Order on Hemp Sales to Minors

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Texas Hemp Business Council Commends Hemp Minor Protections

In a recent press release (1), the Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC) released a statement in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA 56 (2).

As mentioned in the press release, the Executive Order directs the following agency motions (2,3):

• DSHS and TABC must ban sales to minors and require verification of government-issued ID at the point of sale, with failure to do so resulting in the loss of a retailer’s license.
• DSHS must review existing rules for possible revision, including strengthening testing and labeling requirements to ensure informed consumers, increasing licensing fees to facilitate enforcement, and improving recordkeeping to assist agency oversight.
• DSHS, TABC, and DPS must coordinate and increase enforcement across the state, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies.

“Texas will not wait when it comes to protecting children and families,” said Governor Abbott (2). “While these products would still benefit from the kind of comprehensive regulation set by the Texas Legislature for substances like alcohol and tobacco, my executive order makes sure that kids are kept safe and parents have peace of mind now, and that consumers know the products they purchase are tested and labeled responsibly.”

“The Texas Hemp Business Council recognizes Governor Abbott’s executive order, emphasizing that existing Texas hemp laws already regulate the industry, while supporting protections for minors and practical enforcement for hemp businesses. By avoiding a ban on hemp products, GA 56 preserves lawful adult access, promotes responsible commerce and discourages the growth of illicit markets,” THBC expressed (1).

“We fully support measures that ensure hemp products are sold only to adults aged 21 and over, including child-resistant packaging and measures to reduce potential school exposure,” the press release mentioned (1).

“At the same time, Governor Abbott’s executive order serves as an interim enforcement tool, drawing from the hemp regulatory framework proposed in HB 309 by Rep. Briscoe Cain. We urge regulators to implement these directives in a way that does not create undue burdens on responsible hemp businesses. Clear and practical rules are critical for compliance and for the continued growth of Texas’s legal hemp industry,” said THBC in the press release (1). “Texas already has strong hemp regulations under HB 1325, including strict THC limits, full-panel testing, licensing, labeling and accessible certificates of analysis. THBC remains committed to working with state agencies to ensure regulations achieve their public safety goals while supporting the responsible operation of hemp businesses across Texas.”

Texas Cannabis Policy Center Applauds Executive Order

In their own press release, the Texas Cannabis Policy Center (TCPC) announced that the organization commended Governor Abbott’s executive order (4). “This executive order is an important step toward a responsible hemp market in Texas,” said Heather Fazio, Director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center (4). “By keeping these products away from kids and holding businesses accountable through clear rules and enforcement, the Governor is advancing both public safety and personal freedom.”

“Prohibiting hemp flower doesn’t eliminate demand — it simply hands it over to the illicit market,” Fazio explained (4). “This fuels unregulated sales where there are no testing standards, no labeling requirements, and no ID checks to protect young people. If Texas wants real accountability and consumer safety, we must bring natural flower into the regulated market instead of pushing it underground.”

References

1. Texas Hemp Business Council. Texas Hemp Business Council supports protections for minors, urges practical enforcement of governor Abbott’s executive order https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/10/3148253/0/en/Texas-Hemp-Business-Council-Supports-Protections-for-Minors-Urges-Practical-Enforcement-of-Governor-Abbott-s-Executive-Order.html (accessed Sep 12, 2025).
2. Colli, M. Protecting kids: Texas governor Greg Abbott’s executive order cracks down on hemp sales to minors https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/protecting-kids-texas-governor-greg-abbott-s-executive-order-cracks-down-on-hemp-sales-to-minors (accessed Sep 12, 2025).
3. Governor abbott issues executive order to protect children from hemp products https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-issues-executive-order-to-protect-children-from-hemp-products (accessed Sep 11, 2025).
4. Texas Cannabis Policy Center. Advocates applaud gov. Abbott’s Executive Order on THC https://texascannabispolicy.org/news-and-updates/f/advocates-applaud-gov-abbott%E2%80%99s-executive-order-on-thc (accessed Sep 12, 2025).