Texas to require ID checks for hemp sales starting October 1

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starting next month, new state regulations will require Texas businesses to check IDs before selling consumable hemp products to minors below the age of 21. A change aimed at keeping those items out of the hands of minors.

“Up to this point, there has not been a requirement for folks to ensure that someone is 21 before they sell these consumable hemp products,” said Chris Porter, Director of Communications for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).

TABC says the updated rules, going into effect October 1, will bring hemp product sales more in line with alcohol laws. That includes requiring age verification and allowing inspections — both open and undercover — to ensure compliance.

At Valle Verde in McAllen, owner Martin “Chello” Cuellar Jr. says he’s already ahead of the curve.

“That is a really good thing. Finally, they are going to actually implement it and full force it,” Cuellar said. “Honestly, me as a business owner of one of these establishments, I already do that. I have been doing that since day one.”

His dispensary checks IDs using a city-required scanner and pays an extra $30 a month for point-of-sale software that logs the verification.

“It’s just an extra safety for us and a backup in case they come and check us,” Cuellar added. “We show that we are doing our job.”

Demonstrating how the system works, Cuellar scanned an ID and explained, “So, I’ll have this and click this and pop up a camera. We put the barcode right there and then boom.”

Porter says TABC’s enforcement approach will be similar to what’s already in place for alcohol. Inspectors will visit businesses, respond to complaints, and may conduct undercover operations to catch illegal sales.

Businesses that do not comply could face serious consequences, including losing their license.

“It gives us the opportunity to really engage with these businesses and ensure that they understand what the requirements are and what the risks are,” Porter said, citing safety and liability concerns.

Cuellar supports the new policy and believes it’s a necessary step as the state moves forward.

“Just do it the way the legal states are doing,” he said. “So, when Texas is ready, we are already ready — not behind. We are actually innovative and moving forward on things and being compliant on stuff that we already knew was coming.”

More information on the new policies and the products covered in the new law can be found here.