Texas House Votes to Ban Most Hemp Products Impacting Thousands of Businesses

Texas lawmakers have passed a bill banning nearly all hemp products containing THC, the intoxicating compound found in marijuana, threatening an industry responsible for $5.5 billion in annual sales and over 50,000 jobs. This move comes despite earlier efforts to regulate rather than ban intoxicating hemp products, with Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick firmly pushing for a complete prohibition citing public health concerns. The ban has sparked strong opposition from hemp businesses and advocates who warn it will shutter thousands of small businesses and drive the market underground. At the federal level, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp with less than 0.3% THC, but ambiguity around newer intoxicating cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC has led to a patchwork of state regulations and ongoing calls for updated federal legislation to clarify and unify hemp laws. Contrastingly, some states like North Carolina are moving towards sensible regulation with safety, testing, and licensing standards to support industry growth and consumer protection. The lack of clear federal guidance continues to fuel debate and regulatory uncertainty for hemp-derived products nationwide.