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Texas plans to harsh our legal-THCa mellow.

Texas Republicans are doubling down on the failed war on drugs by trying to restrict cannabis further. This outdated move would hurt Texans who have benefited from the plant's medicinal properties and would negatively impact the thriving cannabis industry, setting the state back decades and wasting taxpayer dollars. Wake up, Texas!

Published June 11, 2024 at 7:01am by Beck Andrew Salgado

Texas Set to Close Loopholes, Cracking Down on Cannabis Loopholes

texastribune.org/ articles/texas-thca-delta-8-dispensaries-loophole/

Kimberly Blumenthal/The Texas Tribune

The Texas Legislature is taking steps to close loopholes that have allowed retailers to sell hemp-derived THCa products, threatening a burgeoning industry. With cannabis consumption and legalization on the rise across the US, Texas remains a holdout, with a limited program offering low-THC cannabis for medical use.

What's the Deal with THCa?

THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is virtually identical to THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gets you high. The only difference is a slight variation in their chemical structure: THCa has a double bond on the eighth carbon instead of the ninth. This minor detail has major implications, as smoking THCa can get you high, but only because heat transforms it into THC.

A Legal Gray Area

Despite being functionally similar to THC, THCa is legal in Texas due to a loophole in the Texas Farm Bill. While smoking THCa falls into a gray area since it technically becomes THC when heated, there are no stipulations in the bill addressing this transformation. This has resulted in a surge in sales of THCa products, with the market for hemp-derived cannabinoids skyrocketing by 1,300% from 2020 to 2023.

State Officials Push for Change

Texas officials are now seeking to tighten restrictions on intoxicating hemp products, including delta-8, delta-9, and THCa. State Sen. Charles Perry expressed frustration with the loopholes, stating:

"I'm disappointed, but I'm not surprised that we are here today. When I passed that, I said, 'If you guys screw this up by being cute and getting people high from it, there will be consequences,' and we've tried for several sessions to come up with the magic formula."

A potential ban on THCa could have significant ramifications for Texas businesses that have capitalized on this loophole, marketing themselves as smoke shops. Experts warn that many of these businesses, particularly new ones, may struggle to adapt, having built their model largely around THCa sales.

The future of THCa in Texas hangs in the balance as legislators grapple with closing loopholes and regulating the sale of intoxicating hemp products.

_Originally published _ by Beck Andrew Salgado at austin.culturemap.com