On May 13, 2025, the Texas House of Representatives approved House Bill 46, which aims to broaden access to the Texas Compassionate Use Program for medical cannabis. The bill received bipartisan support and is set to be reviewed by the Senate.
Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian), the bill’s sponsor, highlighted the program’s origins 10 years ago, when Texas first allowed low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis for epilepsy treatment. Since then, the program has gradually expanded to include additional medical conditions. However, King expressed concerns regarding the limited access that many Texans still face in obtaining legally prescribed medications. He stated, “There are not enough dispensing organizations licensed in the state, and current law limits how and where the product can be stored and distributed.”
House Bill 46 mandates the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue 11 licenses to new dispensing organizations. It also permits these organizations to establish secure storage facilities without needing further licenses. Additionally, the bill allows the use of prescribed inhalers and expands the range of medical conditions for which patients can receive low-THC cannabis prescriptions.
Among the new qualifying conditions are palliative care, hospice, and chronic pain. The bill also enables honorably discharged veterans to qualify for the program and allows physicians to request the inclusion of further medical conditions through the Department of State Health Services.
State Rep. Penny Morales Shaw (D-Houston), a strong supporter of the bill, emphasized the urgent need for improved access to medical cannabis. “Right now, too many of our fellow Texans are forced to either suffer or self-medicate because they don’t have sufficient access, and this is an amazing alternative to addictive, harmful opioids, which we know is a huge problem,” Morales Shaw stated. She pointed out that conditions like chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, traumatic brain injuries, and seizures affect many working families, making access to effective treatments essential.
The passage of House Bill 46 comes as the House prepares to consider Senate Bill 3, which aims to restrict the sales of THC consumables. King is the author of both House Bill 46 and a substitute for Senate Bill 3, which proposes a comprehensive regulation of hemp consumables rather than a total ban.
King clarified that House Bill 46 focuses solely on expanding the Texas Compassionate Use Program, while the upcoming discussions on Senate Bill 3 will address different aspects of cannabis regulation in the state. He stated, “This bill only deals with what I explained. This is only the Texas Compassionate Use. The other bill will be coming to a House floor near you soon.”
The developments in Texas reflect a growing trend across the United States, where many states are reevaluating their cannabis laws to improve access for medical patients. As more states continue to adapt their regulations, the landscape of medical cannabis is likely to undergo further changes in the coming years.
English 
Spanish 
German 
Czech