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Austin police say Delta-8 possession will be a felony
KUT • • business
Key Points:
- Texas will ban Delta-8 THC and similar cannabis compounds starting July 31, removing these products from sale in smoke shops and gas stations, while not affecting Delta-9 THC edibles or drinks.
- Possession of Delta-8 will be treated as a state jail felony in Austin, carrying penalties of 180 days to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000, contrasting with marijuana possession which is a misdemeanor.
- The ban targets manufactured Delta-8, which is chemically converted from CBD extracted from hemp, rather than naturally occurring THC compounds, following a Texas Supreme Court decision overturning a previous injunction protecting Delta-8 sales.
- Retailers like Austin Vape and Smoke have shifted focus to Delta-9 products, which are naturally occurring and legal, while some industry leaders see the ban as part of a broader effort to undermine Texas’ legal cannabis market.
- Enforcement details remain unclear, with Austin police advising consumers to keep hemp products in original packaging, but warning that Delta-8 products will be illegal after the ban takes effect.
