Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has issued a stark warning regarding Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order on Texas THC products, describing the new regulations as insufficient to protect young people from harm.

In a lengthy four-page statement released on Friday, Patrick expressed concerns that Abbott’s directive would legitimise what he characterised as a perilous industry whilst establishing an expensive government regulatory framework funded by taxpayers.

Age Restrictions Deemed Inadequate

The executive order prohibits retailers from selling hemp-derived cannabis goods to individuals under 21 years of age. However, Patrick argues that this measure alone fails to adequately safeguard children from accessing potentially harmful substances.

“This will set up a massive taxpayer-funded programme to regulate it,” Patrick warned, suggesting that the new age verification requirements mirror those for alcohol and tobacco purchases but don’t go far enough.

Breakdown in Negotiations

Patrick’s statement revealed previously undisclosed details about failed negotiations between Texas leadership. Before talks collapsed during last month’s special legislative session, both sides had reportedly agreed on several key provisions for Texas THC products regulation.

These agreed-upon measures included prohibiting smoke shops and convenience stores from obtaining licences to sell hemp-derived cannabis goods, as well as banning synthetic compounds such as Delta-8.

Despite this common ground, the two leaders ultimately failed to reach a comprehensive compromise.

Softer Tone Masks Ongoing Tensions

Whilst Patrick’s latest statement avoided the harsh rhetoric he deployed in June—when he accused Abbott of attempting to legalise recreational marijuana—the fundamental disagreement remains clear.

“This is not a personal fight,” Patrick emphasised, adding: “As always, I am open to conversations with the governor, as I would be on any issue.”

This represents a notable shift from his previous accusations that Abbott was ignoring concerns raised by police organisations across the state.

What Abbott’s Order Entails

Under the governor’s executive order, retailers must verify customers’ ages through identification checks before selling Texas THC products. The regulations also adjust concentration limits, which experts suggest will likely remove smokable “flower products” from shop shelves.

However, adults over 21 will maintain access to edible, drinkable and topical hemp-derived cannabis goods, including synthetically-derived compounds.

Rare Public Rift

The dispute over Texas THC products represents the most visible conflict between the state’s top two Republican leaders during a year otherwise characterised by legislative cooperation.

Abbott and Patrick successfully collaborated on private school vouchers, property tax relief and various culture war priorities throughout the recent session.

This makes the ongoing disagreement over hemp-derived cannabis goods regulation particularly striking, highlighting the complex political dynamics surrounding cannabis policy in conservative-led states.

The public nature of their dispute underscores growing tensions between different approaches to substance regulation—with Patrick favouring prohibition and Abbott opting for controlled access with age restrictions.

As Texas continues to grapple with the proliferation of hemp-derived cannabis goods in retail establishments, the question of how best to protect public health whilst respecting market freedoms remains unresolved.

Source: MSN