The bill prohibits the sale or purchase of e-cigarettes that are manufactured in China, contain THC products, or are marketed in ways that could appeal to children.
SAN ANTONIO — Hundreds of new laws took effect in Texas on Monday — including a ban on certain vapes.
Senate Bill 2024 prohibits the sale or purchase of e-cigarettes that are manufactured in China, contain THC products such as Delta-8, or are marketed in ways that could appeal to children.
Lawmakers said the goal is to keep vapes out of the hands of teens. But one San Antonio business owner believes the law will hurt responsible adults more than deter kids.
Jacob Warner, co-owner of Alamo Bud and Co., said the impact was clear inside his shop Monday: shelves were bare and displays looked sparse.
“We had to ship out all our THC vapes out of state,” Warner said. He and two business partners opened the store less than two years ago, and are only licensed to sell hemp products. “For us, it’s about 20 to 30 percent of our business. No business owner wants to lose 20 or 30 percent of income just because you have no control over it.”
Warner said shops like his aren’t targeting minors. In fact, he insists every customer is carded before entering.
“Everyone treats it like alcohol, everyone treats it like 21 and up,” Warner said. “We’re self-regulating because we’re trying to do good, we’re trying to run a legit business.”
The law also bans some nicotine vapes that are designed to look like everyday items — such as pens or other school supplies. Warner said that part makes sense, but he worries the THC ban will backfire.
“Unregulated vapes are still a thing in the black market today,” he said. “We see them all the time. People ask if we can get them, and we’re like — dude, that’s not even a compliant vape, we’ve never even heard of that.”
Violating the new law is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in county jail, a $4,000 fine, or both.
The ban comes as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pushes for a complete prohibition on THC products in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott, however, has called for regulation instead. Meanwhile, the latest THC bill stalled in the Texas House just last week.