Texas DSHS Prohibits Sale of Consumable Hemp to Minors

TX Health Services News & Alerts

Published October 3rd, 2025

Detected February 13th, 2026

Summary

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has adopted emergency rules prohibiting the sale of consumable hemp products to individuals under 21 years of age. These rules are effective immediately and implement Governor Greg Abbott's executive order GA-56, with potential penalties including license revocation for violations.

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What changed

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has issued emergency rules, effective immediately, that prohibit licensed and registered sellers of consumable hemp products from selling to individuals under the age of 21. These rules, found in Texas Administrative Code §§300.701 and 300.702, define a minor as anyone under 21 and mandate that sellers verify purchaser age with valid identification. This action is a direct implementation of Governor Greg Abbott's Executive Order GA-56, aimed at protecting children from hemp-derived products.

Licensed and registered consumable hemp sellers must immediately comply with the new age verification requirements. Failure to do so can result in penalties, including the potential revocation of a seller's license or registration. These emergency rules are temporary, lasting up to 120 days with a possible 60-day extension, while DSHS initiates the process for permanent rule adoption, which will include a public comment period. Retailers should review their sales procedures to ensure compliance and monitor DSHS communications for updates on permanent rule development.

What to do next

Update sales procedures to verify that purchasers of consumable hemp products are 21 years of age or older.
Ensure all staff involved in sales are trained on the new age verification requirements.
Monitor DSHS communications for updates regarding permanent rule adoption and any associated compliance requirements.

Penalties

Penalties include revocation of a license or registration for violations.

Source document (simplified)

main content

DSHS announces emergency rules prohibiting the sale of consumable hemp products to minors

News Release October 3, 2025 The Texas Department of State Health Services is announcing the adoption of emergency rules that prohibit licensed and registered sellers of consumable hemp products from selling them to anyone under age 21. The rules, approved by Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young, are effective immediately and can be found in the Texas Register at Rule §300.701 and Rule §300.702.

The emergency rules are DSHS’s first step in implementing Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order GA-56 to protect children from hemp and hemp-derived products. The rules define a minor as a person under 21 years of age, require consumable hemp sellers to verify purchasers have a valid ID that shows they are at least 21 years old, and provide for penalties including the revocation of a license or registration for violations.

The emergency rules may remain in effect for up to 120 days with the possibility of one 60-day extension. At the same time, DSHS has begun the process of proposing permanent rules to implement the age requirement and other aspects of the Governor’s executive order. As part of that process, the public will have an opportunity to provide comments on proposed rules at a public hearing to be scheduled once those rules are published.

Consumable hemp licensees and retail hemp registrants can stay up to date on rule development and implementation at dshs.texas.gov/consumable-hemp-program.

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(News Media Contact:** pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov )

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