Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order on September 10 banning the sale of products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, to minors.
The decision comes after an initiative, pushed by its lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, to completely veto such products in the state, failed to pass the state legislature during its last session.
Texas bans THC products for minors
Hemp should not be sold to our kids.
Today, I issued an Executive Order cracking down on unsafe hemp products – banning sales to minors, strengthening enforcement & ensuring Texans know what they’re buying.
Safety for kids, freedom for adults. pic.twitter.com/rbwo6mhGZt
– Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 10, 2025
“Today I signed an executive order to curb unsafe hemp products – banning their sale to minors, strengthening oversight and ensuring Texans know exactly what they are buying,” Abbott, an ultra-conservative, announced on his X-platform account.
The decree also prohibits the “promotion” of THC products to appeal to minors.
In addition, it forces sellers to require identification from buyers to check their date of birth, as is done with alcohol or tobacco.
The order does not specify whether the minimum age to purchase these products will be 18 or 21, but requires the state agencies in charge to decide how it will be implemented.
In 2018, during Donald Trump’s first term in office, the federal Congress legalized nationwide the sale and production of hemp, one of the variants of the cannabis plant, which contains low amounts of THC.
Since then, hundreds of businesses have opened in Texas and other parts of the country specializing in the sale of THC goods.
Therefore, it is common to see everything from gummies to electronic cigarettes (vapes) and drinks of this substance in gas stations and liquor stores.
According to a report released in March, the production and sale of THC products in Texas generates more than $5.5 billion annually and injects the state with about $268 million in taxes.
The industry is also responsible for some 53,300 jobs, according to a report commissioned by pro-cannabis firm Whitney Economics.
Marijuana for profit is legalized in 24 of the country’s 50 states. Medical use, however, is permitted in 47 states, including Texas.
Se prohíbe su venta a menores, se refuerza la supervisión y se garantiza que los texanos sepan exactamente qué están comprando
Greg Abbot
With information from EFE
