Texas’ Smokeable Hemp Ban Takes Effect on Sunday

As of Sunday, smokeable hemp will no longer be allowed for sale in Texas, KENS5 reports. The state’s recently-approved hemp rules prohibit smokeable forms of the plant; however, other consumable hemp products will remain for sale in the state.

Some smokeable products will remain on retailer shelves but they cannot be marketed or sold as a smokeable product. The rules do not prohibit raw hemp from being cultivated, manufactured, or sold in other consumable forms. The bill does not prohibit Texas from ordering smokeable hemp products online.

Alex Reyes, manager of Mary Jane’s CBD Dispensary-Smoke & Vape Shop, estimated that 30 percent of the company’s sales come from smokable hemp, calling it “the most convenient way to ingest CBD and get the benefits of all the cannabinoids.”

Heather Fazio, executive director for Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, called the hemp rules “bad for businesses” and said officials are “allowing fear and misinformation” to guide them.

“This is bad for safety and making sure that there’s accountability for the products consumers are purchasing.” – Fazio to KENS5

Texas issued its first hemp license in April. That month, officials said they had received a total of 546 industrial hemp applications including 458 producer applications, 58 handler applications, and 30 handler sampler applications. The law includes legalization and regulation of CBD – which is often sold in smokeable forms including flower and concentrates. All hemp-containing edible products produced in the state, including CBD, are regulated by the Department of State Health, under the law.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) approved the hemp legalization bill last June.