Medical Cannabis Updates for Texas Physicians
On June 21, Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 46, a new law that will bring significant changes to the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP). These changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will improve accessibility to medical cannabis in Texas.
Have questions about these changes? Fill out the form below to connect with our team.
What Conditions Were Added Under HB 46?
Starting September 1, House Bill 46 will expand on the list of 150+ qualifying conditions to include:
- Chronic Pain
- Note: Patients with chronic pain do not need a history of prior opioid use to qualify.
- Crohn's Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Terminal illnesses and patients under hospice care
In addition to expanded patient eligibility, House Bill 46 introduces additional updates that impact how physicians prescribe medical cannabis in Texas.
How Chronic Pain is Defined Under HB 46
House Bill 46 defines "Chronic pain" as pain that is not relieved by acute, post-surgical, post-procedure, or persistent non-chronic pain treatment and is associated with a chronic pathological process that causes continuous or intermittent severe pain for more than 90 days, and for which tetrahydrocannabinol is a viable method of treatment.
New Dosage and Product Guidelines
- The 1% THC cap will be replaced with a limit of 10 mg THC per dose, with a maximum of 1,000 mg THC per package.
- This new dosing measurement will allow for more product types.
- Existing products, such as gummies, will be reformulated to align with new dosing requirements.
Prescription Duration and Refills
- Each prescription may cover up to 90 days of medication, with up to four refills.
- Physicians may prescribe multiple doses or packages within that period to ensure the patient has sufficient milligrams within that time frame.
- All prescriptions for inhalable products must specify THC milligrams per dose.
Pulmonary Inhalation Products
- Inhalable medical cannabis products (e.g., medical vaporization devices and aerosols) may be prescribed once approved by the Executive Commissioner of DSHS.
- Approval and rule-making will occur by October 1, 2025.
- These devices are not yet available. We will notify prescribers as soon as they are approved for use.
Satellite Locations and Patient Access
- Medical cannabis products can be securely stored at approved locations.
- This change allows for secure overnight storage of products, improving patient access in remote regions, reducing wait times and medication costs.
Patient Protections and Privacy
- Patient information in the Compassionate Use Registry is confidential and protected by law and may only be accessed by the department, registered physicians, and dispensing organizations.
- A patient's participation in the CUP does not disqualify them from obtaining or maintaining a License to Carry (LTC), according to the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Still Have Questions?
Our team is here to help provide guidance on prescription guidelines, product updates, and patient education. Click below or fill out the form above to connect with us.