Texas legislators have advanced House Bill 46, which aims to broaden the eligibility criteria for the state’s Compassionate Use Program. This bill will allow individuals suffering from chronic pain, along with other specified conditions, to access medical cannabis.
In addition to expanding the patient base, the proposed legislation increases the types of cannabis formulations that patients can possess. It also raises the number of licensed dispensaries permitted to operate in Texas, enhancing the availability of medical cannabis across the state.
Under the new rules, patients will be allowed to vaporize cannabis, although smoking it will remain prohibited. The law stipulates that medical cannabis products cannot contain more than 10 milligrams of THC per dosage unit. If signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, these changes will take effect on September 1, 2025.
Currently, over 103,000 patients are registered in the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which was initially established in 2015 and expanded in 2021. The recent advancement of HB 46 reflects ongoing efforts to reform medical cannabis access in Texas, aligning it more closely with the needs of patients seeking relief from various health conditions.
For advocates pushing for cannabis reform, resources such as NORML’s Take Action Center offer guidance on contacting elected officials regarding pending marijuana legislation.
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