Table of Contents
Texas treats high-THC concentrates (e.g., wax/dabs/shatter) as controlled substances, and a 2025 law (SB 2024) makes selling/marketing cannabinoid vapes a Class A misdemeanor. This aims to reduce the risks associated with teenage cannabis use, especially with higher THC products, such as anxiety, depression, and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD).
Key takeaways:
- High-THC concentrates are illegal in Texas: penalties depend on total mixture weight (even a small cart can count).
- SB 2024 (effective Sept [1], 2025) targets the sale/marketing of cannabinoid vapes (Class A misdemeanor); it does not criminalize possession.
- Youth risk: higher-THC products raise risks for addiction, anxiety/psychosis, and impaired memory/attention; risk climbs with early and frequent use.
What Are “Dabs” and “Wax”?
“Dabs” are concentrated cannabis extracts, often very high in THC, vaporized and inhaled using a rig, e-rig, or vape pen. THC levels in cannabis concentrate can be as high as 70% to 90+%. This increases impairment and adverse effects in youth, and can increase the risk of them developing a cannabis use disorder [1].
Common textures (What You Might Hear/See)
“Wax,” “shatter,” “budder/badder,” and “sauce,” There are several forms of cannabis concentrate, each with their own looks, texture, and varying THC levels. It’s important to be aware of these terms and, in general, what they look like:
- Wax (soft/opaque, “frosting-like”)
- Shatter (brittle, glassy)
- Budder/Badder (whipped)
- Sauce/“diamonds” (syrupy terpene liquid + crystals)
- Pull-n-snap (taffy-like)
- Live resin: solvent-based extract from fresh-frozen plants (often butane/propane), purged after extraction, marketed for flavor but can be very potent
- “Resin” (slang): often refers to pipe residue, usually with harsh and unknown byproducts
What is “Penjamin” and Why Does it Matter?
“Penjamin” is trending slang for weed vapes/wax pens. It combines the words “pen” and “Benjamin”. Pen refers to the sleek look of wax vapes (often looking like a pen) and Benjamin is used to refer to something with high value.
The term originally gained popularity as a way to avoid being flagged on social media or “code words” to use around parents, teachers, and other adults. If you see it in memes, captions, or DMs, treat it like code for a vape pen and start a calm conversation, not a confrontation.
What Does Texas Law Say Right Now?
Texas classifies THC in Penalty Group 2, meaning recreational high-THC concentrates are illegal. Courts use total mixture/solution weight (e.g., oil in a cartridge) to set specific penalties and selling is more harshly criminalized than possession.
Possession of Penalty Group 2 Concentrates Quick Chart
Weight (mixture/solution) | Offense level | Punishment range |
< 1 gram | State jail felony | 180 days–2 years; up to $10,000 fine[1] |
1–<4 grams | Third-degree felony | |
4–<400 grams | Second-degree felony | |
≥400 grams | First-degree (enhanced) |
As of 2025, SB 2024 (effective Sept [1], 2025) makes marketing, advertising, offering for sale, or selling cannabinoid vapes a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail and/or $4,000 fine). For current or more in-depth overviews, the Texas State Law Library maintains a parent-friendly guide [2].
What Signs Should Parents Watch for That Their Teen is Vaping Cannabis?
Warning signs can appear in their physical health or environment, digital or social media habits, and in their behavioral patterns.
- Physical/environmental: Tiny silicone jars, parchment papers, sticky “dabber” tools, scorched “nails/bangers,” sweet/herbal/fruit-like odors.
- Digital/social: Hashtags/memes for dabs, live resin/rosin, penjamin; screenshots of “carts,” “sauce/diamonds;” DMs about a “plug.”
- Behavioral: Shifts in sleep/appetite/school performance, secrecy with bags/jackets, frequent cash requests/missing money.
What Are The Health Risks for Teens?
- Addiction/Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD): As THC rates have skyrocketed over the past decade, so has cannabis use disorder. Teens who begin using cannabis earlier in development are at an increased risk of developing a dependency to cannabis [4].
- Mental Health: Higher-THC use is linked to anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis. These risks are further for teens due to the nature of their developing brains.
- Cognition and Safety: Impacts memory, attention, coordination, decision-making, and reaction time, affecting school, sports, and driving.
- Extraction/Contaminants: Solvent-made products and unregulated items increase contamination/explosion risks. There have been reports of fentanyl and other opioids or unregulated chemicals found in “illicit-market” carts.
How Do I Talk with My Teen About Dabbing and Wax Pens?
The most important way to connect with your teen if you are concerned they are using cananbis concentrates is to start by having an open conversation, asking questions, and setting clear limits.
- Open with curiosity: “I’m seeing words like wax and penjamin—what do people say it does?”
- Reflect, then add facts: “Some products are illegal in Texas and can carry serious penalties, and high-THC can affect your memory, mood, and anxiety levels”.
- State your value: “Your safety and opportunities matter to me.”
- Set clear limits & a safety plan: “No THC products. If you’re stuck, text me—I’ll pick you up; we’ll talk later.”
- Revisit this topic, especially before school dances, tournaments, sleepovers, and trips.
Clearfork Academy’s Approach to Teen Cannabis Abuse
Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health facilities in Texas committed to helping teens recover from behavioral addictions, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. Our licensed and accredited facilities are dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care and education for parents and caregivers of youth.
We understand the challenges that arise in treating THC use in teens and take a specialized approach to tailor our treatment programs. We educate parents and caregivers on the risks of cannabis, help teens make smart decisions and say no to peers, and address underlying trauma or mental health challenges that influence dab pen use.
Our licensed therapists and clinical psychiatric team can help your teen end the cycle of substance use to build a vape-free lifestyle. Contact our admissions team today.
FAQs for Texas parents
Are dabs/wax legal in Texas?
No. High-THC concentrates fall in Penalty Group 2; penalties depend on total mixture weight. See the statute text here and the State Law Library overview [2].
Did Texas “ban THC vapes” in 2025?
SB 2024 bans selling/marketing certain cannabinoid vape products (Class A misdemeanor). The law does not criminalize possession.
My teen says, “Penjamin.” What does it mean?
Slang for a weed vape/wax pen (meme-driven). Use it as a conversation starter, not proof of wrongdoing.
How common is addiction with cannabis?
About 3 in 10 users develop cannabis use disorder, and the risk is higher for youth and frequent use.
Sources
- Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 481 — Texas Controlled Substances Act. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.481.htm
- Texas State Law Library, Cannabis & the Law (guide). https://guides.sll.texas.gov/cannabis
- Texas Tribune (Sept 2, 2025). “Texas bans the sale of THC vape pens.” https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-thc-vape-pen-sale-ban/
- CDC. Cannabis & Teens (updated Feb 15, 2024). https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/cannabis-and-teens.html
Austin Davis, LPC-S
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas. Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design. Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
