Is medical cannabis legal in Texas? The answer is yes, and it is legal for a physician to prescribe cannabis if they are registered with the state. According to the Texas Compassionate Use Act, cannabis with no more than five percent THC by weight is considered medically-useful. To obtain a prescription, the patient must be over eighteen years of age, or the caregiver must be 21. However, Texas is not yet a legal jurisdiction for recreational use of cannabis.
Since the passage of the Compassionate Use Act, Texas has opened the door to medical marijuana use. Licensed physicians can prescribe low-THC cannabis products to patients who meet specific criteria. Under the Act, qualifying conditions include cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The bill doesn’t limit the age of the patients, but it does define how patients can use the drug.
As of today, Texas law is not as clear as many other states. However, the Compassionate Use Act is a good starting point. Its provisions have helped thousands of patients obtain relief from a variety of illnesses. The Compassionate Use Act is a good place to start to learn about Texas law on medical marijuana. The Compassionate Use Program is administered by Texas DPS, which includes administrative rules, news updates, and answers to frequently asked questions.
The House version of the medical cannabis law included additional conditions, including chronic pain that needs an opioid prescription. However, the Senate version removed that provision in favor of low-THC medical marijuana. According to the Texas Health and Safety Code, possession of more than two kilograms of marijuana is a felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison, five years in jail, or $50,000 in fines. It is not easy to obtain a license to use medical marijuana in Texas. You must apply to the Compassionate Use Registry if you want to obtain a license to grow it and use it for medicinal purposes. Learn about telehealth medical marijuanas now.
The Compassionate Use Program was enacted in early 2018 and allowed the sale of low-THC cannabis to patients with qualified medical conditions. While this program is important, it leaves many patients out. It initially excluded chronic pain and severe seizure conditions, but the Compassionate Use Program added additional qualifying conditions in 2019. It also puts physicians at risk, as the state requires physicians to write prescriptions for medical marijuana, which is illegal under federal law.
Currently, the only medical marijuana card issued in Texas is for possession of less than one gram of cannabis by weight. In addition to this, home cultivation is prohibited. Possession of up to four ounces of flower is considered a misdemeanor, while possession of larger amounts is considered a felony. However, Texas residents who are suffering from chronic pain may be eligible to apply for a medical marijuana card.
The Dallas Morning News recently conducted a survey of UT-Tyler voters that found that six7% of Texans support legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. Additionally, a newly-formed progressive assembly called Ground Game Texas hopes to put a cannabis possession initiative on the Austin city ballot in November. They also want to ban no-knock warrants. Former Democratic congressional candidate Mike Siegel said that tapping into the popular support for marijuana reform at the local level could lead to massive progressive victories in 2022. Moreover, recent polls indicate that Texas is the second-most progressive state in the nation. Get in touch with THCMDTELEMED for Texas medical cannabis program.
While the cannabis industry in Texas faces challenges, the state legislature is making strides toward a more welcoming environment. The Texas City Council recently passed a resolution that limits enforcement action for low-level possession of marijuana. But the current cannabis laws in Texas make it difficult to change quickly. However, if voters want to see changes in the law, they should ask their lawmakers to take the necessary steps to legalize marijuana for all adults.
To access medical marijuana in Texas, a person must be a permanent resident of Texas and have been diagnosed with intractable epilepsy. They must also have a certified physician that determines that low-THC cannabis poses a reasonable risk to their health. Their physician must also agree with the first physician’s assessment. The prospective patient must have exhausted two different types of antiepileptic drugs without success. In addition, the patient must have undergone two evaluations by another physician to ensure the validity of their medical marijuana card. Currently, the state does not recognize any medical marijuana cards issued by other states. Patients who have epilepsy must be prescribed three medications by a neurologist. The physician may approve low-THC cannabis products if FDA-approved drugs have not worked for them. The bill has not yet been signed into law, but it is likely to become law. The state has also passed SB 174, also known as “Carly’s Law,” which allows the University of Alabama Birmingham to research the effectiveness of CBD for the treatment of seizure disorders.