Dallas, December 27, 2025
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) plans to vote on permanent regulations for hemp-derived THC products in early 2026. This decision follows an executive order from Governor Greg Abbott aimed at regulating Texas’s expanding hemp market. Proposed regulations include age verification to prevent sales to minors and a structured penalties system for non-compliance, while stakeholder feedback will be considered before the vote.
Dallas, Texas – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is preparing to vote on permanent regulations concerning hemp-derived THC products in early 2026. This decision is rooted in a multi-faceted approach comprising legislative actions and executive orders aimed at effectively regulating the state’s rapidly growing hemp market.
In September 2025, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order instructing the TABC to establish permanent regulations for the sale of hemp-based THC products. This executive directive emerged following the Texas Legislature’s shortcomings in passing comprehensive legislation addressing the issue. The proposed rules will incorporate important measures such as age verification for purchases to prevent sales to individuals under 21, and they will establish a penalties system for non-compliance. A significant change in the proposal is the removal of the “one-strike” provision, paving the way for a more nuanced penalties regime based on the frequency and seriousness of violations.
Hemp-derived THC products have gained popularity in Texas, leading to increasing concern about the need for clear regulations to protect consumers and foster responsible retailing practices. The TABC has opened a public input period for the proposed regulations, allowing for community engagement and feedback, which will close on January 4, 2026. A formal vote to adopt these regulations is scheduled for early next year.
The push to create a regulatory framework for hemp products follows several notable legislative measures. In June 2025, Governor Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, which aimed to ban intoxicating hemp products outright. Instead, the governor advocated for a more balanced regulatory strategy. This shift led to the introduction of Senate Bill 5 during a special session in July 2025, which aimed to criminalize nearly all hemp-derived THC products, except for non-intoxicating variants like CBD and CBG. Although this bill passed in the Senate, it encountered significant challenges in the House, delaying its finalization and leading to ongoing deliberations.
As the TABC approaches its vote on these permanent regulations, stakeholders within the state are attentively monitoring the situation, keenly aware of the potential ramifications for the burgeoning hemp industry and its consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) planning to vote on in early 2026?
- The TABC is set to vote on permanent regulations for hemp-derived THC products, following a series of legislative actions and executive orders aimed at regulating the state’s burgeoning hemp market.
- What are the key provisions of the proposed TABC regulations?
- The proposed regulations include age verification requirements to prevent sales to individuals under 21 and outline penalties for non-compliance. Notably, the new proposal removes the “one-strike” provision, allowing for a more graduated system of penalties based on the number and severity of violations.
- When is the public input period for the proposed TABC regulations scheduled to conclude?
- The public input period for the proposed regulations is set to conclude on January 4, 2026.
- What led to the TABC’s directive to establish permanent rules for hemp-derived THC products?
- In June 2025, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, which sought to ban intoxicating hemp products, calling instead for a regulatory approach. This decision led to the special session in July 2025, where Senate Bill 5 was introduced, aiming to criminalize virtually all hemp-derived THC products except for CBD and CBG. The bill passed the Senate but faced challenges in the House, leading to further deliberations.
- How are stakeholders reacting to the TABC’s proposed regulations?
- Stakeholders across the state are closely monitoring the developments, anticipating the impact on the hemp industry and its consumers.
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Proposed TABC Regulations | Age verification requirements to prevent sales to individuals under 21 and penalties for non-compliance, with a graduated system of penalties based on the number and severity of violations. |
| Public Input Period | Scheduled to conclude on January 4, 2026, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed regulations. |
| Legislative Background | Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3 in June 2025, leading to the special session in July 2025 where Senate Bill 5 was introduced, aiming to criminalize virtually all hemp-derived THC products except for CBD and CBG. The bill passed the Senate but faced challenges in the House, leading to further deliberations. |
| Stakeholder Reactions | Stakeholders across the state are closely monitoring the developments, anticipating the impact on the hemp industry and its consumers. |
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