Texas is one of several states that allow the use of medical marijuana, but it’s extremely limited and heavily regulated.
Overall, 21 states in the US have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states have legalized medical use. While surrounding states like New Mexico and Colorado allow recreational use, Texans should exercise caution when bringing weed home with them.
Here’s what you should know about medical marijuana in Texas:
Can I smoke medicinal weed in Texas?
No, because medical marijuana is not available in smokable form in Texas.
Texas law only allows dispensaries to manufacture gum, pills, lozenges, tinctures and sprays of cannabis products, according to Thrive Medical Cannabis.
Oklahoma and Louisiana have looser medical marijuana laws, allowing smokable cannabis for patients along with gummies and oils.
Who qualifies for medical marijuana in Texas?
Only Texans with certain medical conditions qualify for medical marijuana use.
In 2015, lawmakers passed the Texas Compassionate Act, which allowed the Department of Public Safety to prescribe low-THC oil to certain patients. The recipe comes from the Cannabis Sativa L plant and, according to Texas.Gov.
The DPS operates an online registry of doctors prescribing substandard cannabis to people with:
epilepsy
seizure disorder
multiple sclerosis
spasticity
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
autism
Cancer
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Incurable neurodegenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
Patients may be prescribed low-THC if they live in Texas, have one of the conditions, and have the approval of a qualified compassionate practitioner. You can search for a doctor who prescribes low-THC medication on the DPS website.
Is a medical marijuana ID required to receive treatment in Texas?
No, Texas doesn’t issue medical marijuana cards like other states.
Instead of a card, Texans only need to qualify under certain conditions and follow these steps, according to Texas Original, a medical cannabis company:
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Be a Texas resident over the age of 18
Have an approved medical condition from the Ministry of Public Security list.
Obtain the medical marijuana prescription from a physician registered with the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas.
How many medical marijuana dispensaries are there in Texas?
There are only three licensed medicinal cannabis dispensaries in Texas: Texas Original, Goodblend Texas, and Fluent Cannabis.
Each company differs in the way it dispenses medical marijuana, with some patient home deliveries or pickup locations across the state. Prices vary based on medicinal products such as edibles and oils.
To see what each pharmacy has to offer, follow these links:
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