Drug crimes in Texas were relatively easy to understand for decades. But now, updates to state laws have led to confusion. There have even been documented cases of people facing charges for a violation that turned out to be a legal substance. It’s important to know the effects of new laws on potential criminal charges.
One of the key issues is the difference between three different products derived from the cannabis plant. Hemp is now a legal product, used in applications from skin salves to twine. But it is difficult to distinguish from marijuana because it is nearly identical in appearance and smell. The legal difference is the content of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical in marijuana that is psychoactive.
Cannabidiol, often known as CBD, is a different compound found in marijuana. It has no psychoactive properties but has applications reducing pain and anxiety, even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not substantiated those claims. Both hemp and CBD are legal in Texas as long as the THC content in the products is below .3%.
Marijuana with a higher THC content has been illegal in Texas since 1931, and it looks likely to stay that way until a larger law change. The main alteration from old laws is the distinction between these three derived materials.
People facing drug crimes in the Lone Star State always have the right to consult legal representation for help. A lawyer can help work with investigators and prosecutors to drop or reduce charges as well as represent a defendant’s interests in court.