by Houston Criminal Defense AttorneyApril Fools or April Gold: Cannabis Legislative Update
Four Hearings on Texas Hemp Bills Today
Today, April 1, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. the Texas House Committee on Agricultural and Livestock will hold hearings on four (4) bills related to Texas Hemp. Specifically, TX HB1657, TX HB1230, TX HB989, and TX HB1325. Stay tuned and follow here.
by Houston Criminal Defense AttorneySeminole County CBD Businesses Beware
Seminole County, Texas: Lubbock DA Issues Legal Warning About CBD Oil
The Lubbock Texas District Attorney’s Office recently issued a warning regarding CBD products to local hemp businesses.
Is the Lubbock District Attorney Right?
As is the norm with CBD Products, sort of and our CBD lawyers have written about it here. THE YES: legit CBD products most likely contain THC. Even if you have a lab report like this
Yes
Legit Hemp and CBD products most likely contain at least some level of THC. THC is an illegal substance in Texas under Tex. Health & Safety Code 481.103. Specifically, THC falls under Penalty Group 2 and a single bottle of oil can be prosecuted in Texas as a Second Degree Felony (2 – 20 years).
No
As of the date on the Lubbock District Attorney’s social media post, even CBD products without THC (classified as “marijuana extract”) could be prosecuted as a misdemeanor under Tex. Health & Safety Code 481.119. However the phrase “marijuana extract” is set to be removed as a Schedule 1 Narcotic on April 5, 2019, thus CBD products without THC are legal as long as they do not fall under or contain another unlawful substance.
I have a CBD lab report saying THC is Not Detectable (ND).
If you have a CBD lab report that looks like something like this . . .
. . . then you are off to a good start. However, that does not mean: 1) that there isn’t any THC at all in the CBD product, and 2) that the lab’s testing methods meet the quality, standards and guidelines of Texas testing methods. So while having a lab report stating your CBD product does not have a “detectable amount” of THC is a good start, it does not mean that is entirely the case creating another big issue for CBD business owners.
by Houston Criminal Defense AttorneyI’m Not a Player, I Just Hemp a Lot
Texas Hemp Law Update
Yesterday, the Texas Department of Health Services, specifically the commissioner, declassified “marijuana extract” (i.e. CBDs) from the list of Schedule 1 controlled substances (effective 21 days from now).
Contrary to some, specifically law enforcement, our attorneys have maintained the position this make-shift hemp and CBD provision was unlawful and invalid because of the Federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill).
Basically, in adding “marijuana extract” initially, Texas was following the Feds lead in making CBDs illegal.. Naturally, when the feds removed it, Texas under law, should have followed suit. They didn’t . . .until just now.
To clarify though, this still doesn’t make hemp legal in Texas.
The artist formerly known as “marijuana extract” made possessing, distributing or selling hemp products a class B misdemeanor (punishable up to 180 days in jail). Some law enforcements agencies (we see you Tyler PD) were even on record as using the now declassified amendment in seizing CBD products. Now that “marijuana extract” has been removed, it is no longer a crime to possess, sell, distribute hemp, UNLESS . . .
it has any THC. THC is still illegal in Texas. CBD oils (and the like) containing any amounts of THC still fall under penalty group 2 as a controlled substance. BUT . . .
district attorney offices and law enforcement agencies are reluctant to pursue and prosecute hemp while the 86th legislative session tries to sort all this out.
Stay tuned . . .
And be sure to contact our Texas CBD Lawyers for more information. Help us, help you!
by Houston Criminal Defense AttorneyBut, I can legally buy Hemp Milk? Marijuana Oil vs. CBD Oil vs. Hemp Oil.
Marijuana Oil
Marijuana oil or cannabis oil is extracted from the marijuana plant. It contains high levels of THC (you will get “high”) and lower levels of CBD. Marijuana oil is currently illegal in Texas, unless prescribed under Texas’ Compassionate Use Act.
CBD Oil
CBD oil or hemp extract is extracted from the hemp plant and contains high levels of Cannabinoids with undetectable to nearly undetectable levels of THC (you will not get “high). The legality of CBD oil in Texas is “dazed and confused” to say the least with lawmakers, law enforcement, and Texas attorneys all having different opinions.
Hemp Oil
Hemp Oil is sourced from hemp seeds. As such there is no THC (unlike Marijuana Oil) and no cannabinoids (unlike CBD Oil). This is why you can purchase hemp milk at your local grocery store and it is 100% legal.
by Houston Criminal Defense AttorneyThe Houston Police Department’s Thoughts on CBD Oil
Below is a clip from the Houston Police Department, Harris County Attorney and the Houston Forensic Science Center regarding their thoughts on Cannabis and cbd oil.
by Houston Criminal Defense AttorneyThe Wind Defense
The “wind defense” – it’s not a good one #protiptuesday #adamoandadamolawfirm
by Houston Criminal Defense AttorneyAmerica, do not commit crimes with checks.
“America, do not commit crimes with checks.” #funfactfriday #adamoandadamolawfirm