Marijuana is considered a controlled substance in Texas. However, while the recreational use of the drug is illegal, some Texans can access medical marijuana (the use of the cannabis plant or chemicals in it to ease the symptoms of certain medical conditions).
Here is what to know about medical marijuana in the state:
There are requirements for eligibility
A patient’s medical condition should be listed by Texas’s Compassionate Use Program (CUP) to be treated using marijuana. The current list includes epilepsy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, terminal cancer and incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Besides having a listed medical condition, the patient must be a permanent resident of Texas. Further, their prescription can only be given by a CUP-registered physician who has to decide that the benefits of the prescription outweigh the risks.
Only low THC can be prescribed
A physician can only prescribe low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis for medical purposes, as they have fewer psychoactive effects. In this context, low THC is when all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any other resulting compound from it or its derivatives contain no more than 0.5% by weight of THC.
The formula matters
The use of medical marijuana is limited to swallowing. One can’t smoke it.
Anyone can access it
Minors who meet the eligibility requirements can also access medical marijuana in Texas, as there is no age limit for prescriptions. However, a minor Texan may need a legal guardian.
The process is straightforward
Qualifying Texans don’t have to go through difficulty to access medical marijuana. Once their physician enters their prescription in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT), the patient or legal guardian can get the prescription from any licensed dispensary.
If you are accused of a crime linked to medical marijuana, perhaps using it in the wrong way, consider legal help to protect yourself from potentially serious penalties.
