Federal Hemp Bill Signed by Trump to Ban Most THC Products in Texas Starting Next Year
A new federal hemp bill signed into law by President Donald Trump will effectively ban almost all THC products in Texas starting next year, according to experts and officials in the state. The law classifies what THC is and what hemp is, with a threshold that makes it difficult for THC levels strong enough to get a person high to be legally sold.
This change impacts states like Texas where marijuana has not been legalized by federal law. The new regulations have a similar effect to a ban that some Texas Republicans, led by Lt. Gov Dan Patrick, worked to enact earlier this year. However, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed the legislation, and later issued an executive order to ban THC products for minors and require ID verification.
Despite the governor's efforts, critics like Lt. Gov Patrick are celebrating the federal decision, saying it will "save a generation from getting hooked on dangerous drugs." Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have different views on the issue, with Cornyn supporting the bill and Cruz voting against it.
However, not everyone is optimistic about the new law. THC experts warn that the ban will be difficult to enforce, as many THC products are already available for sale in Texas without any testing or tracking of THC levels. Experts also point out that there is no plan for how the new regulations will be enforced, and that this could lead to confusion among consumers.
The impact of the federal law on Texans who consume THC products regularly is a concern. Dr. Katie Harris, a drug policy fellow with Rice University, notes that "there is a responsibility for the state to enact legislation in a way to protect public safety" while also avoiding the criminalization of something that millions of Texans do consume.
As the new regulations take effect next year, it remains to be seen how they will be enforced and what impact they will have on consumers in Texas.
A new federal hemp bill signed into law by President Donald Trump will effectively ban almost all THC products in Texas starting next year, according to experts and officials in the state. The law classifies what THC is and what hemp is, with a threshold that makes it difficult for THC levels strong enough to get a person high to be legally sold.
This change impacts states like Texas where marijuana has not been legalized by federal law. The new regulations have a similar effect to a ban that some Texas Republicans, led by Lt. Gov Dan Patrick, worked to enact earlier this year. However, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed the legislation, and later issued an executive order to ban THC products for minors and require ID verification.
Despite the governor's efforts, critics like Lt. Gov Patrick are celebrating the federal decision, saying it will "save a generation from getting hooked on dangerous drugs." Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have different views on the issue, with Cornyn supporting the bill and Cruz voting against it.
However, not everyone is optimistic about the new law. THC experts warn that the ban will be difficult to enforce, as many THC products are already available for sale in Texas without any testing or tracking of THC levels. Experts also point out that there is no plan for how the new regulations will be enforced, and that this could lead to confusion among consumers.
The impact of the federal law on Texans who consume THC products regularly is a concern. Dr. Katie Harris, a drug policy fellow with Rice University, notes that "there is a responsibility for the state to enact legislation in a way to protect public safety" while also avoiding the criminalization of something that millions of Texans do consume.
As the new regulations take effect next year, it remains to be seen how they will be enforced and what impact they will have on consumers in Texas.