When compared to medical marijuana programs across the United States, Texas does things a little differently.
This tends to overcomplicate the process of signing up for its medical program, called the Texas Compassionate Use Program, or TCUP. From qualifying conditions to costs, below you’ll find everything you need to know about getting a medical marijuana prescription in Texas.
First and foremost, unless you are a Texas resident with a qualifying condition, you will not be eligible for medical marijuana in the Lone Star State. According to Texas law, covered conditions include:
EpilepsyA seizure disorderMultiple sclerosis SpasticityAmyotrophic lateral sclerosisAutismCancerAn incurable neurodegenerative diseasePost-traumatic stress disorderA medical condition approved under Texas law for a research program
While these conditions qualify for low-THC medical marijuana in Texas, the process of obtaining a prescription often involves jumping through additional hoops.
Steps to get medical marijuana in Texas
Patients must have a qualifying condition and be permanent Texas residents to begin the process. Residents with qualifying conditions then must obtain a prescription from a licensed physician who is qualified to prescribe low-THC marijuana to patients.
State law defines qualified physicians as ones who are licensed and board-certified in a relevant specialty and dedicate a significant portion of their practice to treating the patient’s condition.
To find a doctor who is licensed to prescribe medical marijuana as part of the state’s medical program or to check if a doctor can legally prescribe low-THC cannabis, Texans can head here to browse the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). This is a database that lists registered doctors in Texas who are licensed to prescribe low-THC medical marijuana. Physicians also input patients’ prescriptions into this database.
Alternatively, people can find a prescribing doctor by visiting the website for one of the state’s licensed medical marijuana dispensaries: Texas Original, Goodblend Texas, and Fluent.
Texas Original’s website lists registered telemedicine clinics on its “get a prescription” page that can prescribe low-THC medical marijuana and offer consultations for those unsure if their condition is covered.
Telemedicine evaluations typically involve a consultation fee and a charge for adding the prescription to CURT. If looking for a prescription through Goodblend’s partner Leafwell, for instance, the fee for both is $99. This charge varies by provider and can go up to $200.
However, this isn’t the only cost associated with Texas’ medical marijuana program.
Costs of Texas’ medical marijuana program
After obtaining approval from a CURT-registered physician, patients can choose different prescription lengths.
Dr. B’s Compassionate Care is one of several approved medical providers that can conduct telemedicine evaluations and provide prescriptions for qualified TCUP patients. This medical provider allows qualifying patients to choose a six-month prescription for $90 or a yearlong prescription for $150, according to the pricing page on Dr. B’s website.
Prescription costs typically include refills, follow-up appointments and physician oversight. However, the prescription cost does not include the cannabis products themselves.
Medical marijuana is not covered by insurance in Texas partially due to federal law classifying it as a Schedule I drug.
The Justice Department in May formally moved to reclassify marijuana and DEA Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney has ordered witness testimony regarding the matter to begin Jan. 21, 2025.
Cannabis products covered by the Texas Compassionate Use Program
Medical dispensaries in Texas offer low-THC cannabis products like edibles, lozenges, tinctures, topicals and beverages. Texas law defines low-THC cannabis as containing less than 1% THC on a dry-weight basis.
Smoking cannabis is currently not permitted for medical use in Texas, meaning patients cannot purchase flower or THC vapes as part of the Compassionate Use Program.
Texas’ medical marijuana program is administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety. To learn more about the program, visit the Texas DPS website here.
Signing up for the medical marijuana program in Texas can be confusing. From qualifying conditions to costs, here’s what you need to know. Read More
