CBD and Hemp News In Texas: Smokeable Hemp Update

The world of CBD and Hemp changes a lot and it changes frequently. There are a ton of emerging laws, regulations, and emerging technologies to keep up. This is why, here at CBD Seed Co, we consider part of our job to be educating ourselves and our customers about everything from CBD news to innovations in hemp farming. This is as true for Texas as it is any other state and maybe even more because of the state’s sheer size and buying power. 

Texas Bans Smokable Hemp

In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1325 into law. This made producing manufacturing, and retail sales, of hemp products legal in Texas. This included cannabidiol, CBD, and other parts of the hemp plant. And while it did not expressly allow hemp for smokeable purposes–it didn’t ban it at a retail level either. This left some ambiguity in the laws since the last round of legislation did. After allowing for public comment this type of smokable hemp was explicitly banned–even though the comments were overwhelming in favor of allowing it. Effective August 2nd, regulations from the Texas Department of State Health Services extended the previous smokable hemp ban to forbid the retail sale of any smokable hemp products. 

Hemp Retailers React to Texas State Smokable Hemp Ban

Already the state of Texas is facing at least four lawsuits about the smokable hemp ban. This makes sense since this product is a large money maker for many CBD/Hemp retailers. Heather Fazio, director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, argues

“Hemp regulators are overstepping their authority and encroaching on the economic liberty of Texas business owners. It’s absurd to forbid the in-state sale of products that are completely legal in Texas and across the country. Consumers can simply make their purchases online and have it shipped, legally.” This basically means in-state retailers are being penalized unfairly and losing out on big profits in a time when Covid-19 has already hurt them.

As we get more information on this hemp news story out of Texas we will post follow-ups to this story. As always, reach out to us with questions about CBD and hemp news/laws no matter where you are in the US. We do business in almost all states and are happy to give you as much info as we can!