HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Texas’ ban on most hemp-derived THC products officially took effect on Friday.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, businesses adjusted to the new reality, as products came off shelves and retailers navigated changes to what they can legally sell.<\/p>\n
Inside Bellaire Smoke Shop in southwest Houston, there were empty shelves where some THC products once stood.<\/p>\n
“Yesterday, a lot of people came trying to buy a lot, and today we have people come trying to buy stuff, but obviously there’s nothing to buy. Wholesalers, they’re not selling. There’s no way,” said cashier Ashton Matthews.<\/p>\n
The new law prohibits the sale and possession of hemp-derived THC products like delta-8, delta-10, THCA flower, and other synthetic THC variants.<\/p>\n
Only hemp-derived delta-9 THC products, containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, remain legal.<\/p>\n
Matthews said on Saturday, some customers came in and still hoped to get their hands on the product.<\/p>\n
“‘Where’s it at? Do you have some underneath the table?’ And I’m like, ‘No, I’m sorry. And y’all can’t even have it in your car no more because you get in trouble,'” Matthews said.<\/p>\n
The Texas Department of State Health Services argued that hemp-derived THC products should be treated as controlled substances because they are psychoactive drugs. Some lawmakers have been pushing this ban for years over concerns that the products harm children.<\/p>\n
Possession of banned THC products can now carry felony charges, with penalties including up to two years in state jail and fines of up to $10,000.<\/p>\n
Cannabis experts estimated the ban could take 60% to 90% of THC products out of circulation.<\/p>\n
“Some shops will be good,” Matthews said. “Some shops won’t.”<\/p>\n
As businesses adjust to the new rules, Matthews ultimately believes some stores won’t survive the changes.<\/p>\n
“We sell hookah, vapes,” Matthews said. “So we’ll be hopefully all right. We’ll try to survive, but I don’t know about the other shops.”<\/p>\n
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