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Following the legislature's failure to pass a ban on THC product sales to minors during the regular or special sessions, Governor Abbott has issued an executive order on the issue.
According to Abbott's office, the order directs the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to take their own regulatory actions on THC.
DSHS and TABC are now being instructed by Abbott to ban sales of THC products to minors and require ID verification at the point of sale. Failure to do so could result in retailers losing their licenses.
DSHS has also been instructed to review its existing rules, possibly revise them, and strengthen its testing and labeling requirements for THC products.
Abbott said in a statement about the executive order, "While these products would still benefit from the kind of comprehensive regulation set by the Texas Legislature for substances like alcohol and tobacco, my executive order makes sure that kids are kept safe, parents have peace of mind now, and consumers know the products they purchase are tested and labeled responsibly."
This comes as Lt. Governor Dan Patrick continues to call for a complete ban on THC products in Texas, while Abbott and many members of the GOP base have consistently pushed for more common-sense regulation and age requirements, rather than a full-scale ban.