Governor Abbott’s Order On THC Sales Aims To Protect Children

Governor Greg Abbott has taken decisive action by directing the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to ban the sale of THC products to minors. His order requires ID verification for every purchase and threatens retailers with permit revocation if they fail to comply. Abbott described the move as “safety for kids, freedom for adults,” emphasizing his belief that youth should be shielded from products containing THC.

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This executive order also bypasses the deadlock in the Texas Legislature, where debates over hemp-derived THC products have stalled for months. Abbott has repeatedly asked lawmakers to consider stricter oversight, but this step allows agencies to begin rulemaking immediately.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick Calls for a Total Ban

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has long opposed THC products, calling them “a poison in our public.” In his view, Abbott’s order sends the wrong signal by leaving THC available to adults, potentially paving the way for the full legalization of marijuana in Texas. Patrick has made it clear that he and the Texas Senate want nothing less than a complete ban, regardless of age.

While hemp-derived THC remains federally legal, marijuana does not. That legal conflict has fueled ongoing tension about how far Texas should go in regulating these products. See the video below to see the tension between the Lieutenant Governor and the Governor of Texas.

My Take as a Texan

Here’s where I stand: I agree with Lieutenant Governor Patrick that banning THC for minors is a step in the right direction, but I also believe it’s long overdue. Protecting kids should always come first. At the same time, limiting access for youth may open the door to a larger discussion about legalization for adults in Texas. That’s just my opinion, but as I see it, keeping our kids safe while debating adult freedoms is the balance we need to strike.