In Texas You Can End Up in Prison for Having a Gummy

A clip from a longer video on what Texas Republicans just did to a legal industry and the people who bought from it.

New restrictions took effect July 31st, banning sale and possession of several hemp derived THC products. Possession of a newly banned item can bring a state jail felony, 180 days to two years, and fines up to 10,000 dollars. That felony conviction also means no firearms in Texas, permanently. Products purchased legally weeks ago are now contraband.

The history explains how it got here. Texas legalized hemp in 2019 under the federal farm bill and a billion dollar industry grew around it. In 2021 state health officials moved to schedule several cannabinoids, a court blocked enforcement, and this year the Texas Supreme Court held the state had that authority. The legislature moved fast after that.

Retailers and a distributor have already sued in federal court, arguing the state is in conflict with the 2018 farm bill and unlawfully restricting interstate commerce, and asking a judge to pause enforcement.

Some products remain legal. Working out which is now the customer’s problem.