For thousands of Texans living with chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, Crohn's disease and terminal illnesses, Sept. 1 marked a change. House Bill 46 officially took effect, dramatically improving the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) and expanding access to life-changing treatment through medical cannabis.
"The impact this will have on Texans cannot be overstated," said Dr. Louis Lux, medical director for palliative medicine and supportive oncology at Texas Oncology. "I've witnessed firsthand how medical cannabis transforms the lives of my cancer patients, helping them manage pain and treat side effects when other options have fallen short. This expansion means I can now help other patients who have been waiting years to access the same opportunity."
In addition to the expanded list under HB 46, hundreds of other conditions qualify for medical cannabis, including all forms of cancer, PTSD and epilepsy. The bill also modernized dosing standards by removing the 1% potency cap on THC and allowing patients to access medication with up to 10 mg of THC per dose and up to 1,000 mg per package, reducing the need for unnecessary filler ingredients.
"These new options under HB 46 transform how we can help people in a safe and regulated program," added Dr. Lux.
"Every day we hear from Texans who need relief from medical cannabis but have been unable to qualify for or have difficulty accessing treatment," said Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original. "This expansion allows us to deepen our commitment to serving patients across Texas by reaching thousands more with new locations and products. We're committed to working with state regulators to bring these life-changing treatment options to patients across Texas as fast and safely as possible."
Texans can obtain medical cannabis prescriptions through online clinics or local physicians registered with the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas. Additional rules for new delivery methods will be established by state regulators by Oct. 1, 2025.
For more information:
Texas Original
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