When the federal government officially reopened last night, the headlines focused on politics, but hidden inside the spending bill was a big change for the hemp industry.
The new law tightens restrictions on hemp-derived cannabinoids, closing a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed the sale of intoxicating hemp products such as Delta-8 THC. Under the new federal rules, products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container or cannabinoids made through chemical conversion (like Delta-8, Delta-10, or HHC) will no longer be allowed to be sold as hemp.
What This Means for Consumers and Businesses
For hemp retailers and manufacturers, these changes are significant. Many products on the market today will need to be reformulated, relabeled, or removed entirely. States like Texas — where hemp-derived THC products have become popular due to limited cannabis access — will feel these effects most.
Industry groups estimate that up to 90% of hemp-derived ingestible products could be impacted. That’s leading to confusion for both businesses and consumers who aren’t sure what’s still legal.
What This Does Not Mean
Here’s what’s most important for our patients to understand:
➡️ These new rules do not affect the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) or any registered medical cannabis patient under the program.
➡️ TCUP operates under state medical law, not federal hemp regulations.
➡️ The medications dispensed through TCUP come from licensed medical cannabis providers, not hemp processors.
TCUP Remains Safe, Active, and Regulated
Texas Cannabis Clinic is proud to be part of the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which remains fully active and supported by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Our team of certified physicians continues to help patients across the state legally access low-THC medical cannabis for conditions such as:
- Chronic pain
- PTSD
- CancerAutism
- Neurological disorders
Every prescription is tracked through the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT), ensuring safety, compliance, and continuity of care.
Reassurance for Our Patients
While the broader hemp industry is facing uncertainty, patients enrolled in TCUP can have confidence that their medical cannabis treatment remains legal, safe, and available.
“I think it would be helpful to clear the air a bit about this issue. The government policy which is set to limit recreational hemp in 12 months is not the same as the medical program. The medical program is exempt and still safe and active. The hemp lobby anticipated the need to fight for hemp and medical access is still protected.” -Dr. Matthew Brimberry
Staying Informed
Texas Cannabis Clinic will continue to monitor legislative and regulatory updates at both the state and federal levels. For patients or caregivers with questions about their status under TCUP or about obtaining certification, we encourage you to contact us directly.
Your treatment is safe. Your program is active. And your clinic is here for you.
