Texas is set to expand its medical cannabis program to include chronic pain sufferers. For the first time, individuals experiencing chronic pain will be eligible to enroll in the state’s limited medical marijuana program, a change resulting from a recent compromise reached during the Texas Legislature’s session. This marks a notable departure from the previous restrictions that limited access to fewer than 30,000 patients in Texas, as reported by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
State Senator Jose Menendez, a Democrat from San Antonio, expressed approval of the expansion, stating that medical cannabis can often be more effective in treating certain conditions compared to traditional pharmaceuticals. He emphasized that this change is a necessary adjustment to the program, which was initially established in 2015 with a narrow focus on specific illnesses like epilepsy and seizure disorders. In 2019, the program was broadened to include patients with cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and multiple sclerosis.
The new legislation, now awaiting Governor Greg Abbott’s approval, will allow patients with chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, Crohn’s disease, and terminal illnesses to qualify for medical cannabis. However, the proposed expansion faced challenges, particularly an amendment suggesting that chronic pain patients should first be prescribed opioids for a minimum of 90 days before qualifying for cannabis. This amendment was met with strong opposition from State Representative Ken King, a Republican from Canadian, who argued against the opioid requirement.
Ultimately, the final bill passed both the Senate and House without the opioid stipulation. It now requires that a doctor confirms a patient has been treated for chronic pain for over 90 days, but does not mandate that treatment must involve opioids.
Additionally, the legislation increases the number of licensed dispensaries in Texas from three to 15, addressing previous criticisms regarding the limited access to cannabis. It also allows physicians to prescribe higher dosages of medical marijuana than currently permitted.
This legislative shift is linked to ongoing discussions in the Texas Senate regarding a potential ban on THC products. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick indicated that as the state moves to ban THC, more individuals will seek relief through the expanded medical cannabis program. The House and Senate have already voted to prohibit THC products starting in September, leaving the final decision on this ban in the hands of Governor Abbott.
With these developments, Texas is taking a significant step towards broadening access to medical cannabis, particularly for those suffering from chronic pain, and reshaping the landscape of cannabis regulation in the state.
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