Texas Judge Pauses New Rules Banning Hemp Products Like Smokable THCA Flower Amid Legal Challenge From Industry
Marijuana Moment • • business
Key Points:
- A Texas judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of new state rules that restrict access to hemp-derived products like smokable THCA flower, pausing the rules for 14 days amid a legal challenge.
- The lawsuit, filed by hemp industry groups, argues that state health agencies illegally bypassed lawmakers by imposing more restrictive rules than those enacted by the legislature, which had rejected similar restrictions.
- The new rules include a stricter calculation of delta-9 THC levels and significant increases in business licensing fees, though the judge did not block the fee increases in the restraining order.
- Plaintiffs contend the regulations undermine the 2019 statutory framework that legalized consumable hemp products in Texas, and a hearing on a temporary injunction is set for April 23.
- Meanwhile, Texas is expanding its medical marijuana program, and recent polls show a plurality of voters disapprove of current state cannabis policies and favor less strict marijuana laws.
