In June of 2015, Governor Abbot signed SB 399, the Texas Compassionate Use Act. This law allows access to some patients to low-THC cannabis. Cannabis products are considered low-THC if they contain at least 10% cannabidiol, but not more than 0.5% tetrahydrocannibinols. The state of Texas approved the medical use of such products to patients diagnosed with intractable epilepsy.

Unlike many medical marijuana laws of other states, the Texas Compassionate Use Act allows for dispensing organizations to cultivate, process, and distribute medical cannabis. Another significant difference between Texas and other states’ medical marijuana laws is that SB 399 establishes a parallel prescription system, in which registered physicians record information such as patient dosage and amounts. This prescription would be taken to a dispensing organization to be filled.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which administers the program, has issued a proposed revision of the Compassionate Use/ Low-THC Cannabis Program administrative rules that are made publicly available. The public can make informal comments on these rules for DPS to consider in its formal rule making, which will begin on August 25, 2016. The DPS faces a deadline of September 1, 2017 to license at least three dispensing organizations that may perform any or all of the cultivation, production, or dispensing functions. By July 2016, DPS plans to begin the Compassionate Use Register, an online database to manage licensing for dispensing organizations.

Law

SB 339 - Texas Compassionate Use Act

Regulations

Compassionate Use Program Proposed Administrative Rules

Program

Texas Department of Public Safety- Compassionate Use Program