Legal Hemp Is Making Pot Prosecutions Complicated In Texas

Hemp has less than .3% THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. To prosecute a marijuana possession offense, law enforcement must prove the substance a person has isn’t hemp.

By Christopher ConnellyJune 28, 2019 9:30 am, , , ,

From KERA:

This week, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office dismissed about 235 misdemeanor marijuana possession cases. It was an unusual move, and a response to changes in state law earlier this month.

On June 10, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a measure passed by Texas lawmakers that had the effect of legalizing hemp and hemp products immediately. Industrial hemp was legalized nationwide last year, and Texas lawmakers wanted to conform the state’s law with the federal one so that Texans can get in on a booming industry in hemp products.

Read more. 

An earlier version of the headline for this story incorrectly stated the percentage of legal THC as 3%.