Texas Compassionate Use Program
Compassionate Use Program Qualifying Conditions
Under the Compassionate Use Program, patients are eligible to receive a medical cannabis prescription for the following conditions:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Cancer
- Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Pain)
- Spasticity (Muscle Spasms)
- ALS
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias
- Seizure disorders
- Parkinson’s/Huntington’s Diseases
- Over 100 other incurable neurodegenerative diseases
CBD, Cannabis and Marijuana: What is Legal in the State of Texas
Under the provisions of the Texas Compassionate Use Act, medical cannabis can be used in the medical treatment of approved conditions under the guidance of a registered physician. Texas does not issue medical marijuana cards; instead, prescriptions are submitted digitally to the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas. It is still a crime to possess cannabis (over 0.3% THC by weight) not prescribed by a registered doctor for an approved condition in the state of Texas. Additionally, smokeable products are not permitted in Texas under the current law.
What Makes a Cannabis Product “Medical Grade”?
After the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, over-the-counter hemp-derived products began to enter the market. Unlike medical cannabis, hemp-derived products are not required to meet consistent in-state batch testing or labeling standards. Synthesized hemp-derived Delta 8, 9 and 10 THC products may pose risks for consumers due to harmful solvents and chemicals being added without adequate testing or regulation. While some manufacturers conduct independent testing, lack of oversight means potency, purity and safety can vary. Additionally, these products are not required to be packaged in child-resistant containers, increasing the risk of accidental exposure.
Certification and Testing
- Medical-grade cannabis products should be provided with a thorough Certificate of Analysis (CoA) that is available online or attached to the package.
- A thorough CoA certifies that the product meets quality and safety standards by identifying potency (by weight), and the presence of toxins, including heavy metals, residual solvents, pesticides, and microbial.
Quality and Transparency
- Medical-grade cannabis products should be made with a rigorous cultivation, manufacturing and certification process that ensures patients receive a high-quality product every time. In addition, medical-grade cannabis products should provide transparency into how they are made, including making product ingredients and testing results easily accessible to patients.
Optimized for Relief
- Medical-grade cannabis products should be optimized to appropriately treat a variety of medical conditions and symptoms. Patient trials, testing, and research should inform the formulation of medical-grade cannabis products.
What to Look for in a Medical Cannabis Dispensary
A medical cannabis dispensary should:
- Provide a thorough Certificate of Analysis (CoA) that is available online or attached to the medicine package.
- Make medical-grade cannabis products with a rigorous quality process and provide transparency into how they are made, including making product ingredients and testing results easily accessible to patients.
- Abide by state regulations and ensure all products are made in-house through a vertical integration model.
- Utilize patient trials, testing, and research to inform the formulation of medical-grade cannabis products that are optimized to appropriately treat a variety of medical conditions and symptoms.