TX
Texas Senate Bill SB79

Texas 2017 - 85th 1st C.S.

Texas Senate Bill SB79

Caption

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and testing facilities; authorizing fees.

Impact

One of the primary impacts of SB79 is the establishment of dispensing organizations that will be licensed to cultivate and distribute medical cannabis. The legislation outlines the necessary qualifications for these organizations, such as maintaining security and accountability in the handling of cannabis. It also mandates a compassionate-use registry, which will record patient information and monitor the supply chain of medical cannabis. This is expected to enhance transparency and ensure that only eligible patients access the substance, increasing the safety of the program.

Summary

SB79 aims to authorize the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for patients suffering from specific debilitating medical conditions. These conditions include cancer, PTSD, and several chronic syndromes, positioning the bill to enhance patients' access to therapeutic cannabis in regulated circumstances. The legislation provides a structured approach to medical cannabis use, defining roles for medical practitioners, patients, and dispensing organizations. It establishes a legal framework for the activities surrounding medical cannabis that would necessarily have regulatory oversight.

Contention

Though SB79 promotes medical cannabis access, there are notable points of contention that may arise. Critics may raise concerns about the potential for abuse of the system by unauthorized individuals or organizations. The bill’s provisions preventing municipalities from prohibiting medical cannabis also reflect a move toward centralizing authority, which could incite debates around local governance and individual community choices. Furthermore, the structure of regulatory fees for licenses and the operation of cannabis testing facilities may spark discussions about economic equity within the medical cannabis framework.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB1200

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and cannabis testing facilities; authorizing fees.

TX SB121

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, delivery, sale, and research of medical cannabis for medical use by patients with certain medical conditions and the licensing of medical cannabis organizations; authorizing fees.

TX SB127

Relating to the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for use by patients as the best available medical treatment, the licensing of medical cannabis dispensing organizations, and the registration of certain individuals; authorizing fees.

TX HB2995

Relating to the prescribing of medical cannabis for medical use to certain veterans with combat-related injuries or medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations under the Texas Compassionate Use Program.

TX SB209

Relating to regulating the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, and use of cannabis and cannabis products; authorizing the imposition of fees; requiring occupational licenses; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB1937

Relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, use, and taxation of cannabis and cannabis products and local regulation of cannabis establishments; authorizing the imposition of fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a tax.

TX HB1831

Relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, use, and taxation of cannabis and cannabis products and the local regulation of cannabis establishments; providing for expunction of records relating to certain decriminalized conduct; authorizing the imposition of fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a tax.

TX HB3068

Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis by patients with certain medical conditions.

TX HB1805

Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis by patients with certain medical conditions.

TX SB1747

Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis by patients with certain medical conditions.

Similar Bills

TX SB269

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and testing facilities; authorizing fees.

TX HB2107

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and cannabis testing facilities; authorizing fees.

TX SB90

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and testing facilities; authorizing fees.

TX HB94

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and testing facilities; authorizing fees.

TX HB1504

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and cannabis testing facilities; authorizing fees.

TX HB1200

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and cannabis testing facilities; authorizing fees.

TX HB209

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and testing facilities; authorizing fees.

TX SB90

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by qualifying patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of dispensing organizations and testing facilities; authorizing fees.