Der texanische Gesetzgeber genehmigt den Zugang zu medizinischem Cannabis für chronische Schmerzen

Texas lawmakers reached an agreement to expand access to medical cannabis for residents suffering from chronic pain, a decision announced on Sunday by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. This change grants eligibility to many Texans, including a significant number of veterans, reversing a prior limitation that would have restricted access to the state’s medical cannabis program, known as the Texas Compassionate Use Program.

The agreement follows protests from Republican members of the Texas House, who criticized the Senate’s earlier proposal to reduce the scope of the medical cannabis program. Patrick, who had expressed opposition to expanding qualifying conditions just a day earlier, shared the news via social media, stating, “We look forward to passing this bill for our veterans and those who suffer from chronic pain.”

The expansion is crucial as Texas aims to regulate its hemp THC market, which offers cheaper alternatives to the tightly controlled medical cannabis program. Advocates argue that the expansion is necessary, particularly as veterans’ groups estimate that over 25% of veterans could potentially qualify for medical cannabis with the new provision.

In addition to allowing chronic pain as a qualifying condition, Patrick’s agreement also reinstates the number of business licenses for the program from three back to twelve. However, the deal does not restore other previously removed conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, glaucoma, spinal neuropathy, Crohn’s disease, and degenerative disc disease. It remains uncertain whether provisions to maintain the confidentiality of veterans’ information in the program will be reinstated.

Leading up to this agreement, several House members expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, indicating that their support for banning hemp THC was contingent on the expansion of the medical program. Many GOP lawmakers had been assured that veterans would have access to the medical program as a substitute for pain-relieving hemp products, a point emphasized during the debate by state Rep. Tom Oliverson.

First-term Rep. Daniel Alders highlighted that the expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program was a primary reason for the House’s agreement to the hemp THC ban. This pivotal shift in the legislation marks a significant change in Texas’s approach to medical cannabis, particularly concerning pain management for veterans and other eligible residents.