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Austin, Texas — The Texas Cannabis Policy Center (TCPC) commends Governor Greg Abbott for issuing an executive order today that directs state agencies to restrict youth access to THC while ensuring responsible adults retain legal access.
The order comes after two special sessions failed to produce a legislative solution, largely due to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s insistence on a complete ban. By acting decisively, Governor Abbott has rejected prohibition and embraced enhanced regulation, providing much-needed safeguards for Texas families and clarity for Texas businesses.
Key Actions in the Executive Order
- Ban sales to anyone under 21, with mandatory ID verification. Retailers who fail to comply will lose their licenses.
- Establishes total THC restrictions on natural hemp flower. (This is concerning. See details below.)
- Strengthen testing and labeling requirements to ensure consumer safety and transparency.
- Increase licensing fees to fund enforcement and oversight.
- Improve record keeping to assist agency monitoring.
- Expand enforcement efforts by coordinating DSHS, TABC, DPS, and local law enforcement.
- Launch a comprehensive regulatory study with state agencies and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, exploring a long-term framework similar to alcohol regulation.
“This executive order is an important step toward a responsible hemp market in Texas,” said Heather Fazio, Director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center. “By keeping these products away from kids and holding businesses accountable through clear rules and enforcement, the Governor is advancing both public safety and personal freedom.”
For parents, the order provides assurance that guardrails are in place to keep hemp-derived THC away from children. For businesses, it delivers regulatory clarity that rewards compliance and penalizes bad actors. For consumers, it preserves access to hemp products they’ve enjoyed legally for six years.
At the same time, TCPC cautions that restricting hemp flower to 0.3% total THC creates an unintended consequence: demand for flower, which remains significant, is being pushed into the illicit market. Unlike regulated products, illicit cannabis flower will be sold without testing, labeling, or age verification, putting consumers at risk.
“Prohibiting hemp flower doesn’t eliminate demand — it simply hands it over to the illicit market,” Fazio said. “This fuels unregulated sales where there are no testing standards, no labeling requirements, and no ID checks to protect young people. If Texas wants real accountability and consumer safety, we must bring natural flower into the regulated market instead of pushing it underground.”
The Department of State Health Services will now begin updating rules to strengthen consumer protections, while TABC and DPS expand oversight. Agencies will also conduct a multi-agency study to recommend a comprehensive framework for legislative consideration.
TCPC will continue to monitor the rule-making process, submit feedback, and keep Texans informed.
“Governor Abbott has shown that Texas can protect children without turning back to prohibition,” Fazio said. “While we have some concerns, this is a win for safety, freedom, and free markets.”