Texas hemp industry worried about new THC provision

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- You may have missed a provision that was added into the spending bill that reopened the government back in November.

Congress approved the bill with a provision that cracks down on hemp products containing THC.

The funding package includes language that bans the sale of hemp-derived products with more than 0.4 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive element in marijuana. The measure would criminalize almost all consumable hemp products nationwide.

Texas Republicans tried to have a similar measure during their special session this summer, but Governor Greg Abbott vetoed the bill.

ABC-7 spoke with two parties, one dispensary in Sunland Park, and one CBD store in El Paso.

The CBD store, owned by Cristina Da Costa, said that if this law stays intact, she won't have a business.

"People are going to lose their jobs. They're going to lose their livelihoods. I won't have a business. I won't be able to pay my mortgage or anything else because this is my business."

Da Costa said education is important with this issue. While her and other Texas businesses are concerned about what will happen for their industry, some dispensaries in Sunland Park believe it could be a good thing.

Pablo Duran, owner of the Field of Dreams, said this provision will help further regulate and clear up any confusion about what is actually legal. Because marijuana is recreationally legal in New Mexico, his business won't be impacted as much.

"Am I worried or concerned? I'm not. Should I be? I'm about to find out," said Duran.

The law won't take affect until November of next year, so businesses have time to figure out what to do. There could also be some pushback from legislators.

Texas state representatives have said they didn't agree with having the hemp ban in the package, but wanted to get the spending deal approved as quick as they could.