Texas Hemp Regulatory Rollout Proposal

(A CRAFT Strategies Framework)

Why This Matters

This proposal directly responds to the priorities outlined in Executive Order GA-56, path forward under Department of State Health Services (DSHS) authority that is both legal and immediately actionable.

Texas has the opportunity to lead the nation in hemp regulation. Hemp use is not limited to any fringe community—it already spans soccer moms and veterans, Willie Nelson and Matthew McConaughey. By setting enforceable rules now,

Texas can protect consumers, stabilize businesses, and position itself for federal alignment.

An executive order alone cannot provide that stability. Only structured rule-making through Chapter 443 gives this framework the legality and credibility it needs. The approach builds on the current program without reinventing the wheel.

The rollout proceeds in three phases.

Phase One: Immediate Enhancements (Within Six Months)

Safety, Licensing, and Product Accountability

The first step is to place public safety messaging front and center, with standardized warnings about dosing, driving, and age restrictions. Consumers must hear clear and simple messages: “Start low, go slow,” “21+ sales only,” and “Do not drive or operate machinery after use.” These norms align hemp with alcohol and tobacco, reinforcing responsible use.

Licensing should be upgraded by retaining existing retail and manufacturing permits while requiring licensees to submit standard operating procedures as part of renewal. Templates can simplify compliance, while a modest fee increase funds oversight and education.

Compliance should also be digitalized. As part of licensing, retailers would be required to submit a list of the brands and products they carry, and manufacturers would submit what they are producing for the Texas market. These submissions must match what is available for sale. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) would be uploaded into a DSHS system or linked through QR-based databases for verification. Routine inspections could then be conducted remotely through document audits and/or virtual inspection, with on-site visits reserved for higher-risk operators or when discrepancies are identified.

Smokable flower and pre-rolls should be framed responsibly—as adult- only, cigar-style products. They must be tested, packaged responsibly, and sold in child-resistant containers with certificates of analysis. Current restrictions on in-state manufacturing would remain, consistent with court precedent.

Finally, training becomes a requirement. Every licensed store must employ at least one certified THC Handler, trained through an affordable online course with an annual refresher tied to license renewal.

Phase 2: Building Structure (6–18 Months)

Centralized Oversight and Consumer Confidence

The next stage would establish an industry compliance hub — a centralized digital portal where licensees manage compliance documents, training records, and inspection reports in one place. This ensures regulators and operators are always working from the same information, improving efficiency and accountability.

Building on Texas traditions like the Go Texan and Farm Fresh programs, a voluntary “Texas Verified Hemp” seal could be introduced for operators who meet higher thresholds of compliance. This seal would function as both a state-backed quality mark and a consumer guide — directing Texans toward tested, transparent, and trustworthy hemp businesses while rewarding responsible operators.

Phase 3: Long-Term Stability (18+ Months)

Study, Coordination, and Federal Alignment

The final step would be the formation of a Texas Hemp Regulatory Commission — not as a new bureaucracy, but as a working group to study, coordinate, and prepare for the future of hemp regulation. This body could include representatives from DSHS, the Department of Agriculture (TDA), the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), industry leaders, public safety officials, and consumer advocates.

Its charge would be to review best practices, monitor federal developments, and ensure Texas rules remain aligned with emerging national standards such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ASTM standards, and potential Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this way, Texas can shape its hemp program in a way that is consistent, enforceable, and credible — and when Congress enacts a national cannabis framework, Texas can demonstrate that it is already prepared.

The Culture Shift

This is not about fringe cannabis. Hemp has already become part of mainstream Texas life. By treating it as we do cigars, wine, or whiskey— legal, adult, and regulated—Texas can remove the taboo while protecting consumers and keeping the market in the open. Failure to do so risks driving business underground, with all the dangers that come from unregulated sales.

Bottom Line

This plan makes GA-56 enforceable by anchoring it in DSHS authority. It creates a phased rollout that makes compliance simple for businesses and oversight practical for regulators. It positions Texas for federal readiness while reframing hemp as a proud Texas product, not a political liability.

With this framework, Texas can protect youth, reward responsible operators, and establish itself as a national leader in hemp/cannabis regulation.