Texas bans smokeable hemp products starting March 31

GAINESVILLE, Texas — Texas will ban the sale of smokeable hemp products beginning March 31, 2026, under new rules from the state health agency that are set to reshape the local hemp retail landscape. The ban covers natural smokeable hemp items, including pre-rolled joints, smokeable flower buds, and THCA flower — products that contain tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which becomes intoxicating when smoked. Edibles and beverages that meet lower THC concentration thresholds or fall under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission oversight remain legal. The regulations stem from longstanding concerns that intoxicating hemp products were reaching minors. The state legislature voted to restrict the products on child safety grounds. Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a broader ban last summer, but the state health agency subsequently increased oversight through regulatory action. Along with the product restrictions, licensing fees for hemp businesses will rise sharply. Manufacturers will see fees jump from $1,030 to $10,000 per facility, while retailer fees increase from $155 to $5,000. Businesses must also comply with new child-resistant packaging standards, age verification requirements — the legal purchasing age is now 21 — and additional labeling, testing, and recordkeeping rules. Industry groups say the combined effect of the product ban and fee increases will force some businesses to close. Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, warned that the rules could push consumers toward unregulated sources. "This will hand 50% of the legal market to illicit operators, making our state less safe," Fazio said. Residents with questions about the new rules can contact the Texas Department of State Health Services or visit the agency's website for compliance guidance.