The Department of State Health Services has announced the adoption of emergency rules that prohibit the selling of consumable hemp products to anyone under 21 years old. The rules are effective immediately.
The emergency rules are the first step in implementing Governor Abbott’s executive order GA-56, which requires sellers of consumable hemp to verify a customer has a valid ID and that the seller is over 21 years old, and creates penalties for violations.
The emergency rules may remain in effect for up to 120 days with the possibility of one 60-day extension. At the same time, DSHS has begun the process of proposing permanent rules to implement the age requirement and other aspects of the Governor’s executive order. As part of that process, the public will have an opportunity to provide comments on proposed rules at a public hearing to be scheduled once those rules are published.
The emergency rules can be found in the Texas Register at Rule §300.701 and Rule §300.702.
Consumable hemp licensees and retail hemp registrants can stay up to date on rule development and implementation at dshs.texas.gov/consumable-hemp-program.
The full press release can be found here.
