Texas Ban on Smokable Hemp Products Takes Effect March 31 

Smokeable hemp products must be removed from Texas stores by the end of the month under new rules adopted by the state health department, KUT News reports. The new regime also includes stricter packaging and testing requirements for edible hemp products and higher fees for retailers and manufacturers of hemp products. 

Health officials in the state were directed to amend the state’s rules around hemp products by an executive order from Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in September 2025.  

The adopted rules increase the initial and annual renewal licensing fees for consumable hemp manufacturers to $10,000 per facility, and the annual registration fees for retailers to $5,000 per location. The initial regulations called for a 10,000% increase in annual fees.  

Heather Fazio, of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, told KUT News that “consumers will be able to still acquire” smokable hemp products “either from out of state operators … or from the illicit market.” 

“The illicit market doesn’t have age restrictions. It doesn’t have safety mechanisms and consumer protection.” — Fazio to KUT News 

In an interview with KUT News, Mark Bordas, head of the Texas Hemp Business Council, described the new rules as “so draconian” they will force companies out of business and said the organization is planning a lawsuit to challenge the regulations.