Texas Implements New Restrictions on Hemp-Derived THC Products Following Supreme Court Ruling
Texas has officially banned most hemp-derived THC products, including Delta-8 and Delta-10, as of July 31. The ruling follows a Texas Supreme Court decision that allowed the state to enforce a 2021 rule classifying these synthetic compounds as Schedule I controlled substances. While products containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight remain legal, many popular items found in smoke shops and gas stations are now prohibited. Possessing banned THC products could result in a state jail felony, carrying penalties of up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Retailers are already adjusting their inventories to comply with the new regulations. For example, Alvis Hilman, owner of Tobacco, Hemp, and Cigars, reported a loss in sales and a potential risk of closure due to the ban. Lukas Gilkey, CEO of the Hometown Hero company, noted that while the ban affects a smaller portion of their sales, the state's strategy appears to be a gradual reduction of the legal cannabis market. Consumers are encouraged to use micro-dosing of legal delta-9 products as an alternative.