Overview
- TABC held a Dec. 11 hearing on proposed permanent regulations for consumable hemp at businesses it licenses.
- The draft would bar sales to people under 21 and add enforcement tools, including potential suspensions and a defense when employees fail to ID customers who appear 40 or older.
- Industry speakers backed the 21+ limit but warned of online age‑verification gaps, urging alcohol‑style enforcement for e‑commerce sales.
- Public‑health advocates pressed for a minimum purchase age of 25, citing brain development and safety concerns.
- Written comments are open until Jan. 4, with a vote expected in January, as recent federal changes redefining hemp and restricting synthesized cannabinoids take effect in 2026 and prompt calls for state alignment.