Story perspectives

Texas bans hemp-derived THC products, imposes felonies, fines

8/1/2026

Summary

Texas Bans THC

Texas law took effect on July 31, 2026, banning hemp-derived THC products such as Delta-8, Delta-10, THCP and THCA flower as Schedule I substances.
Retailers must remove non-compliant inventory by that date or face felony charges and fines up to $50,000 for possession above trace THC.
The Texas Department of Public Safety expects about 60 enforcement actions annually, and reports that retailers are losing $30,000–$15,000 as they pull 20%-30% of revenue-generating products.

Summary

Patrick Orders Study

Poison control centers logged about 544 calls from children under five who ingested hemp-derived THC products, prompting warnings.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tasked a Senate committee with studying THC’s impact on health-care costs, mental-health emergency detentions, and psychotic disorders.
Elevated’s co-owner Stephen Gurka III said the company will move its online sales out of state to keep serving Texas customers, and noted it employs 15 people across five stores.

History

Historical Context

The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act removed low-THC cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, sparking a multi-billion-dollar intoxicating-hemp market that grew through 2020. Federal courts upheld these products until Congress tightened the hemp definition on 12 November 2025, extending the 0.3 % THC limit to all isomers. In response, the Texas legislature enacted a 2026 ban on hemp-derived THC.

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Texas Bans THC

Texas law took effect on July 31, 2026, banning hemp-derived THC products such as Delta-8, Delta-10, THCP and THCA flower as Schedule I substances.
Retailers must remove non-compliant inventory by that date or face felony charges and fines up to $50,000 for possession above trace THC.
The Texas Department of Public Safety expects about 60 enforcement actions annually, and reports that retailers are losing $30,000–$15,000 as they pull 20%-30% of revenue-generating products.

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