Overview

• Executive Order GA-56 bans sales of consumable hemp-derived THC products to people under 21 and assigns the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to draft and enforce new rules.
• Required measures include government ID checks at purchase, stricter product testing and labeling, increased licensing fees, and strengthened recordkeeping for oversight.
• Agencies are instructed to coordinate compliance checks and seizure authority, consider location limits near schools, and work with the Department of Public Safety on statewide enforcement.
• Rulemaking begins immediately, with DSHS given 10 days to review testing standards, fee schedules and labeling requirements before proposing updates.
• Abbott acted after two special sessions ended without a deal and after vetoing a blanket ban in June, as industry groups back age-gating while Senate leaders continue to press for an outright prohibition.