The medical marijuana landscape in Texas, and the U.S. as a whole, is steadily evolving. The past few years have seen a number of laws passed in state legislatures nationwide that have liberalized the use of marijuana for medical reasons. Federally, marijuana is still illegal, as is interstate possession and carrying for the most part. However, in Texas, as an eligible patient, you can easily access medical cannabis for specific qualifying conditions.
History of Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions in Texas
Medical cannabis was legalized in Texas by the state legislature in 2015. The Compassionate Use Act initially allowed registered doctors to prescribe low-dose THC for “intractable epilepsy.” Over time, the law has been expanded to include other medical conditions as well.
HB 135, passed in September 2021, was a significant piece of legislation that expanded the list of qualifying medical marijuana conditions to include all forms of cancer and PTSD. The inclusion of the latter, in particular, was a big step. It came following extensive research into the benefits of medical marijuana for PTSD and the persistent demands of patients and activists alike. There is continued grassroots support for further liberalization of medical cannabis. Conditions like HIV and glaucoma, for instance, which largely figure in the list of qualifying conditions for other U.S. states, are still not supported under Texas’ Compassionate-Use Program (CUP).
Which Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Texas?
In order to receive a medical marijuana prescription in Texas, you must have one of the following conditions:
- Autism
- Spasticity
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Nerve Damage
- All forms of cancer
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Huntington’s Disease
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Neuropathy
- Amyloidoses
- Incurable Neurodegenerative Diseases
This list isn’t exhaustive. If you believe you would medically benefit from cannabis, you should consult a CURT-registered physician to determine if your condition qualifies for medical marijuana. While marijuana doesn’t treat any of these conditions directly, it may be able to help alleviate some symptoms, including chronic pain, nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, and others.
Obtaining a Medical Marijuana Prescription in Texas
If you’re eligible for medical cannabis in Texas, the process on how to get a medical marijuana card in Texas is fairly straightforward. In order to be considered eligible for it, you must:
- be a permanent resident of Texas
- have a qualifying medical condition
Once you’ve determined your eligibility, you need to get a doctor’s prescription. Only physicians registered with the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) are permitted to prescribe medical marijuana for your condition. The law also makes it mandatory for doctors to prescribe it rather than simply recommend it.
Your doctor will evaluate you to ascertain that your condition would benefit from treatment using medical marijuana. If it does, they will provide a prescription recommending the right dosage and route of administration for you.
They will also register you as a patient into the CURT and update your profile with every subsequent change in your health plan. You don’t have to pay any fees for this registration.
With the prescription you receive from your doctor, you can go online to order medical marijuana for your condition from any dispensary in Texas. You will also receive a written letter of approval that protects your rights in case you’re confronted by law enforcement.
What Kind of Marijuana Is Allowed in Texas?
Generally speaking, marijuana can be administered in a number of ways, including smoking, vaping, and ingesting it. However, Texas law explicitly forbids the smoking of marijuana. Only edible products like THC gummies and tinctures are permitted at the moment.
Texas allows the prescription of low-dose THC products, defined as those with 1% or less THC content. This is intended to limit some of the more intense effects of medical marijuana prescribed for your condition, and to prevent overconsumption.
The most common form of medical marijuana prescription in Texas is that of a tincture. Marijuana tincture oil generally contains two active ingredients — tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The former is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, while the latter is believed to have anti-psychoactive properties. They balance each other well, and together, help deliver the benefits of medical marijuana for various conditions. A typical tincture oil will contain CBD and THC in a 4:1 ratio, respectively.
Other forms of permitted THC products include gummies and oral sprays.
Do You Need a Prescription for All Kinds of THC Products?
No. Only marijuana products need a doctor’s prescription. Products that are hemp-derived, such as CBD and Delta-8 THC products, can be bought over the counter.
Marijuana and hemp are both different varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant. Texas passed a law in June 2019 recognizing these two as different plants. It also legalized the industrialization and commercialization of hemp throughout the state, including the sale of non-prescription hemp products. This means low-THC CBD and Delta-8 products can be easily bought online. These include hemp rolls, topical creams, gummies, soft gels, and more.
See If Your Condition Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Under 60 Seconds with Texas 420
Navigating the restrictions around medical cannabis can be daunting. Fortunately, Texas 420 Doctors can help simplify this process for you. With us, accessing medical cannabis boils down to three simple steps:
- See if you qualify instantly by filling out this short form. Once you do, you can book an appointment with a physician to discuss your condition.
- If your doctor confirms your eligibility, they’ll issue you a letter of approval and an open prescription, valid for a year.
- You’ll be able to order medical marijuana online from your preferred Texas dispensary in as little as 24 hours after your evaluation.
Each of our doctors is board-certified and registered with CURT. Access medical marijuana for your condition quickly and safely with Texas 420 Doctors. As a patient with us, you receive a number of perks, including the ability to follow-up with your physician when you need to, a Cannabis 101 guide, as well as a 10% discount on our non-prescription supplementary products.
Feel free to contact us with questions about our services or obtaining a medical marijuana prescription in Texas.
