Jake Gerry, owner of FreshGrown TX, said the language would sharply limit how hemp can be grown and how much THC hemp-derived products may contain.<\/p>\n
Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp was legalized nationwide as long as products contain less than 0.3% THC per serving. Gerry said the new proposal would instead limit THC to 0.4 milligrams per package, regardless of serving size.<\/p>\n
‘A TICKING CLOCK’: Local THC industry looking to combat federal hemp ban<\/p>\n
THC has been at the center of recent debates in Texas, starting with Senate Bill 3<\/a>, which proposed restrictions on hemp-derived THC. Gov. Greg Abbott ultimately vetoed that bill earlier this year.<\/a> The state opted instead to move toward tighter regulation focused on lab testing, age limits, and marketing restrictions.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt would make most full-spectrum products impossible to produce,\u201d Gerry said. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t have a package of gummies that meets that limit, even if each individual serving is compliant.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerry also said the language would affect farmers by restricting the cultivation of hemp plants that contain detectable amounts of THC. \u201cIf this goes through, we wouldn\u2019t be able to cultivate hemp the way we do now,\u201d Gerry said. \u201cThat affects farms, manufacturers, retailers. Everything from top to bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam Beam<\/p>\n One of the hemp products sold by FreshGrown TX.<\/p>\n Gerry said the ban could severely affect people who rely on hemp-derived products for sleep, anxiety relief or other medical conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could push people toward products that aren\u2019t tested or aren\u2019t safe,\u201d he said. He added that shop owners with long-term leases and employees in hemp retail and production could also be affected.<\/p>\n He said some federal lawmakers have also signaled interest in regulation rather than prohibition.<\/p>\n For now, hemp-derived products containing under 0.3% THC per serving remain federally legal. The proposed federal changes would take effect in November 2026 if approved.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have about a year to educate lawmakers,\u201d he said. \u201cIf people rely on these products, they can reach out to their local senators and members of Congress to share how this impacts them.\u201d<\/p>\n WATCH OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THC IN TEXAS:<\/p>\n UP IN SMOKE: Senate Bill 3 and how a proposed statewide THC ban could affect local businesses<\/p>\n ‘Devastating’: Local business owners react to Texas House passing statewide THC Ban<\/p>\n Local business owners relieved by Governor Abbott’s veto of statewide THC Ban bill<\/p>\n Coastal Bend THC shop owners adapt to new state regulations and laws<\/p>\n For the latest local news updates, click here<\/a>, or download the KRIS 6 News App. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n