Texas Expands Medical Cannabis Access

LOS ANGELES- In a significant policy shift, Texas lawmakers have approved House Bill 46, expanding the state’s medical cannabis program to include patients with chronic pain and those in hospice or terminal care. The bill also permits the use of additional cannabis product forms, such as patches, lotions, and prescribed inhalers, and increases the number of licensed dispensaries across the state. This expansion comes as the state prepares to implement a ban on hemp-derived THC products, set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

The expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP), established in 2015, follows contentious negotiations between the House and Senate. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who had previously opposed broadening the program, announced the agreement after facing backlash from Republican House members and veterans’ groups. The deal reinstates chronic pain as a qualifying condition, defined according to Texas Medical Board guidelines, and reverses a decision to reduce the number of business licenses under the program.

The legislative action coincides with the passage of Senate Bill 3, which bans the sale and possession of hemp-derived THC products, including delta-8 and delta-9 THC, currently available in retail outlets. Advocates have expressed concern that the ban could limit access to therapeutic products for individuals not covered under the medical program, potentially impacting the state’s $8 billion hemp industry and thousands of small businesses.

Governor Greg Abbott now faces the decision of signing both bills into law. If enacted, the expansion of TCUP aims to provide a regulated alternative for patients affected by the impending ban on hemp-derived THC products. The outcome will significantly influence the state’s approach to cannabis regulation and access in the coming years.