If you produce or sell hemp derived beverages in Texas, your packaging compliance requirements changed on March 31, 2026, and the window to catch up is already closing.
New regulations from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), enacted under HB 28, now mandate that all consumable hemp products, including hemp-derived beverages, be sold in packaging that is tamper-evident, child-resistant, and resealable. For products that contain multiple servings or include multiple items purchased in one transaction, the packaging must remain resealable in a way that keeps the child-resistant mechanism intact. That’s not a technicality. It’s a meaningful design requirement that rules out a lot of standard closures currently in use.
Brands selling these beverages in Texas got a reprieve that other product categories didn’t. Beverages and edibles can continue to be sold in the state as long as they meet the updated packaging and safety standards. Smokeable hemp products weren’t so lucky. For beverage brands, that means packaging compliance isn’t just a checkbox. It’s what’s keeping them in the market.
What HB 28 actually requires
The adopted DSHS rule text took effect March 31, 2026, following publication in the Texas Register. The packaging requirements introduced under HB 28 include:
Child-resistant closure: The cap or closure must meet child-resistant standards and remain functional throughout the product’s use, not just at initial purchase.
Resealable design for multi-serve products: For multi-serving products, packaging must be tamper-evident, child-resistant, and resealable. A cap that can be closed but no longer functions as a child-resistant seal after first opening doesn’t meet the standard.
Tamper-evidence: Consumers and retailers need a clear visual indicator that the product hasn’t been opened or compromised before purchase.
Age verification and labeling: The new regulations also include child-proof packaging requirements, age verification at point of sale and expanded warning labels.
Why this matters beyond Texas
The hemp derived beverage category was already on a steep growth trajectory before these regulations hit. The hemp derived THC beverage market grew from roughly $400,000 in 2020 to $382 million in 2024. That kind of growth attracts regulatory attention, and Texas isn’t the only state paying attention.
Because Texas is one of the largest hemp markets in the country, regulatory changes of this scale tend to be monitored by other state governments, which can influence how they approach hemp regulation and shape national-level discussions. Brands that get compliant now aren’t just checking a box for one state. They’re building a packaging infrastructure that holds up as the regulatory environment continues to tighten across the country.
Single-serve vs. multi-serve: the distinction that matters
Not all hemp derived beverages are subject to the same packaging requirements, and understanding the difference can help brands source the right closure the first time.
Single-serve formats, where the entire contents are intended for one use, need a child-resistant closure at point of sale. Multi-serve formats have a higher bar: the child-resistant mechanism has to remain intact and functional after the product has been opened and reclosed. That requirement effectively eliminates standard twist caps and most basic push-and-turn closures that don’t maintain their resistance after the first opening.
If you’re producing both formats, you likely need two different cap solutions.
The Grip ‘N SIP™ CR beverage caps built for exactly this
Green Rush Packaging’s Grip ‘N SIP Child Resistant Beverage Caps were designed with compliance in mind before regulations made it mandatory. We offer two versions depending on your product format.
The Multi-Use Grip ‘N SIP CR Beverage Cap is the right fit for hemp derived beverages with multiple servings. It’s built to reseal securely after each use while maintaining its child-resistant function, which is the specific requirement Texas regulations now impose on multi-serve products. Made from 100% PCR PP, it’s a durable, certified-compliant closure sold by the case. Designed to fit industry-standard 202 ends, it snaps on by hand with no equipment or machinery required.
The Single-Use Grip ‘N SIP CR Beverage Cap is for single-serve formats where one cap, one use is the model. Made from 100% PCR PE, it delivers the same certified child-resistant closure in a format built for high-volume canning operations. Like the multi-use version, it fits industry-standard 202 ends and snaps on by hand, no equipment needed.
Both caps are certified child-resistant, designed to fit industry-standard 202 ends, continuously stocked and ready to ship, and available in case quantities for brands at any production scale. Snap-on assembly means no equipment or machinery required.
Don’t treat this as optional
DSHS sent notice of the new regulations just 20 days before they took effect, leaving businesses scrambling to meet the deadline. If you’re still sourcing compliant closures for your hemp derived beverages, you’re already behind.
Texas is one of the largest hemp markets in the country, and regulatory changes of this scale in Texas tend to be monitored by other state governments, which can influence how they approach hemp regulation and shape broader national industry standards. Getting compliant now isn’t just about Texas. It’s about being positioned for wherever packaging regulations head next.
When you’re ready to get compliant, shop our child resistant Grip ‘N SIP CR Beverage Caps >
Frequently asked questions
Do all hemp-derived beverages sold in Texas need child-resistant packaging?
Yes. As of March 31, 2026, all consumable hemp products sold in Texas, including beverages, must be packaged in closures that are tamper-evident and child-resistant. Single-serve and multi-serve formats both require compliant closures, though the specific requirements differ depending on whether the product contains multiple servings.
What’s the difference between a single-use and multi-use child-resistant cap?
A single-use child-resistant cap provides a compliant closure for beverages intended to be consumed in one sitting. A multi-use cap has to do more: it must reseal securely and maintain its child-resistant function after every opening. Texas regulations specifically require that multi-serve hemp-derived beverages use a closure that keeps the child-resistant mechanism intact through repeated use, not just at first purchase.
Does this regulation apply to CBD beverages, or only THC products?
The DSHS regulations apply to all consumable hemp products, which includes beverages containing any hemp-derived cannabinoid, whether that’s Delta-9 THC, CBD, CBG, or others. If you’re selling any hemp-derived beverage in Texas, the packaging requirements apply to your products regardless of the cannabinoid profile.
What happens if my hemp-derived beverage packaging isn’t compliant?
Non-compliance with DSHS packaging rules puts your license at risk. The regulations carry administrative penalties, and each day a violation continues can be counted as a separate offense. For brands selling in Texas, the cost of non-compliance significantly outweighs the cost of sourcing the right closure before your next production run.
