An expert in drug policy from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy is available to explain and comment on today's executive order from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on hemp-derived THC products.
Katharine Neill Harris, the Alfred C. Glassell III Fellow in Drug Policy at the Baker Institute, analyzes the impacts of local, state and national drug laws. Her current research focuses on cannabis regulation and overdose mitigation strategies.
"The most immediate effect of the executive order will be to prohibit sales of hemp-derived products to minors," Harris said. "The governor also directs the Department of State Health Services to increase licensing fees. Currently a retail license is only $155, a low barrier to entry that does not fund enforcement sufficiently. Increasing fees can boost enforcement resources and discourage some from entering the market. Several other directives, including to strengthen labeling and record-keeping requirements and to bring in TABC for enforcement, are fairly broad and could have a significant impact on the industry depending on the details that will be hashed out during the rulemaking process."
Recent relevant publications by Harris:
