Texas to Ban Several Hemp-Derived THC Products on July 31, Leaving Delta-9 as the Primary Legal Option
Texas will officially ban several hemp-derived THC products, including delta-8 and delta-10 variants, on July 31. The ban follows a Texas Supreme Court decision that allowed the Department of State Health Services to reclassify these synthetic variants as schedule I drugs. While delta-9 THC, which naturally occurs in cannabis, will remain legal, the new regulation will punish those in possession of the banned substances with state jail felonies and fines up to $10,000. Cannabis experts warn that the move could remove 60% to 90% of THC products from retail shelves. Sarah Todd of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center noted that the ban recriminalizes products that have been legal for years, potentially pushing consumers toward the illicit market. Conversely, Aubree Adams of Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Texas praised the safety restrictions, stating that the industry often sells unsafe products. The ban affects approximately 14,000 licensed retail stores across the state, forcing many to adjust their inventory to focus on the natural delta-9 variety.