Texas Implements Statewide Ban on THC Vape Sales

Texas has enacted Senate Bill 2024, which bans the sale and advertisement of THC vape products and other hemp-derived cannabinoids, making violations a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The law targets vape products often marketed to minors and includes restrictions on e-cigarettes resembling common school items and products containing substances like alcohol or kratom. While the sale and marketing of these products are prohibited, possession and personal use remain legal under the new law. Dispensaries across the state are adjusting their inventories, with some suppliers allowing exchanges for legal products, though concerns persist about the impact on businesses and potential growth of the black market. The ban comes amid ongoing legislative efforts to further restrict hemp products, with a more comprehensive bill pending in the Texas House. Governor Greg Abbott previously vetoed similar legislation, and it remains uncertain if he would do so again if the new bill passes.