Abbott orders DPS to toughen hemp enforcement at smoke shops

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Gregg Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to strengthen enforcement on vape and smoke shops that are not in compliance with state laws and regulations Tuesday.

“Today, I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to increase surveillance and enforcement of any vape and smoke shop violating Texas law,” Abbott said. “Texas will prioritize protecting our children.”

DPS will toughen hemp enforcement by doing the following issued by Abbott: 

• DPS’ Criminal Investigations Divisions (CID) will conduct targeted operations to identify vape and smoke shops of concern. They will then work with state, local and federal partners to perform inspections to determine legal violations.
• CID Special Agents will leverage findings from these inspections to conduct undercover operations to identify unlawful activity as well as initiate further criminal investigations.
• The DPS Crime Lab will conduct testing on any seized products from these investigations. CID Special Agents will follow up to bring charges against employees and shop ownership in violation of Texas law.
• DPS will leverage all federal and local law enforcement partnerships to further these investigations.

Last Friday, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued two emergency rules regarding the sale of hemp products to minors. According to previous reporting, consumers under the age of 21 are not allowed to purchase hemp products in Texas. 

This comes after an executive order by Abbott, requiring state agencies to restrict hemp sales to children.

In the second emergency rule, the department said it can revoke the license or registration for any person that is found selling, serving, or delivering hemp products to a minor. However, an exception can be made for the seller if a minor falsely displayed an apparent valid ID.