As medical marijuana requirements legislation for Texas continues to evolve, we will continue to update this page to provide notice of any additional eligibility requirements. Since Texas lawmakers legalized some forms of the cannabis plant but not others in 2019, marijuana law enforcement cases have gone into disarray across the state, and enforcement can vary greatly depending on where you live. In addition, medical cannabis has far less addictive potential than opioids and virtually no link to an overdose. Many patients who might benefit from taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for pain management may not be able to take over-the-counter pain relievers due to kidney problems or certain digestive problems. Texas offers a medical marijuana card as a safer alternative for these cases. Hemp was legalized federally by the 2018 Farm Bill and in Texas by House Bill 1325, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2019. Now, CBD products are sold throughout the state. Many Texas prosecutors, Republicans and Democrats, are dropping low-level marijuana possession charges and refusing to prosecute new ones. For doctors and physicians, Texas` Compassionate Use Act offers them a different and more natural medicine to help their patients cope with some of the most serious conditions that arise today. This law has been expanded in recent years to include coverage of several other qualification requirements.
Low-dose THC can now be prescribed to treat epilepsy, seizures, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), other forms of muscle spasticity, autism spectrum disorders, dementia (vascular, Alzheimer`s disease, Picks` disease, dementia with Lewy bodies), Parkinson`s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, degenerative neuropathy (such as diabetic neuropathy) and a long list of diseases progressive neurodegenerative. 03.05.21 – Parallel, a statewide cannabis operation, is launching the first medical marijuana capsules for patients in Texas as part of the compassionate use program. The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical organization, writes that medical marijuana and CBD products are generally safe and well tolerated, and there is evidence that they can treat the symptoms of certain diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Texas has no explicit rules or laws governing the use of medical cannabis in public. However, it is forbidden to appear intoxicated in public. To be considered a candidate for medical marijuana, you must first determine if you have an eligible condition. Conditions vary from state to state, so it`s important that you understand the specific regulations of your state of residence. To make it easier for you, we`ve compiled a list of medical marijuana requirements in Texas. If you`ve been diagnosed with any of these eligible conditions, you`re already on your way to the potential benefits of medical marijuana. Regulations change almost every month regarding medical marijuana, so check back often if your condition(s) are not currently on the eligibility list. New conditions are sought and added quite regularly in the legal states of the United States. However, each state has the authority to establish its own cannabis laws that allow for legal use within state jurisdiction.
Some states, such as Colorado, Washington, and California, have legalized recreational marijuana. Other states have chosen to legalize cannabis for medical purposes, granting access to qualified patients who consult with doctors certified by the state board of directors. Again, each state determines which medical conditions are legal for medical treatment of marijuana. Each state also determines whether medical marijuana is accessible through a medical card or written prescriptions. Finally, the route of administration is also dictated by state law — meaning some states allow patients to choose how they want to take the dose with medical marijuana — by vaping, smoking flowers, using edibles or using sublingual tinctures. In June 2019, the Texas Department of Public Safety, “the state`s largest law enforcement agency,” ordered its officials not to arrest people, but to issue quotes in cases of marijuana possession if possible, which still carry up to a year in prison and a $4,000 fine. Over the past decade, cannabis reform has made great strides in the United States. Although medical cannabis is still banned nationwide, it is currently legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia. In 2015, Texas lawmakers passed the Texas Compassionate Use Act, which legalizes the use of low-THC cannabis for Texans with certain medical conditions. The state amended that law in 2019 and 2021 and expanded eligibility to include other eligible medical conditions, including PTSD.
While millions of Texans are considered eligible under the current law, only a small fraction of them are currently enrolled in the compassionate use program. Understanding Texas` unique low-THC medical cannabis program is critical to safely connecting patients to medical cannabis treatments. Low-THC medical marijuana is available under Texas law; However, it is illegal under federal law. Patients under the age of 18 need a legal guardian for a medical marijuana prescription. The Department of Public Safety was mandated by law to create an online registry where doctors could register patients and issue prescriptions for marijuana. The two governors, Greg Abbott and Beto OâRourke, the Democrat running against him in the gubernatorial race, have come out in favor of decriminalizing marijuana, with OâRourke advocating the legalization of the drug. Under Texas law, doctors can issue prescriptions for any medical condition for which the Health and Human Services Commission has approved the use of low-THC cannabis as part of a state-approved research program. These include wasting syndrome, anxiety, seizures, uncontrollable epilepsy, persistent pain, and many other chronic diseases. weedmaps.com/learn/laws-and-regulations/texas/ In June 2021, the Compassionate Use Program expanded the list of conditions to include all diagnoses of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as eligible conditions and increased the THC cap from 0.5% to 1% with the adoption of HB 1525.
The law will come into force on September 1, 2021. No, it is only legal to purchase and possess medical marijuana as a permanent resident of Texas with a valid prescription and CURT enrollment. Even if you have a medical marijuana card issued by another state, you are still subject to all of Texas` possession laws. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Bill 3703, a measure that increases the number of qualified patient conditions for medical cannabis use, which could likely increase dispensary sales under the state`s limited MMJ program.
