Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB46

Filed

3/14/25

Out of House Committee

5/9/25

Voted on by House

5/13/25

Out of Senate Committee

5/26/25

Voted on by Senate

5/27/25

Governor Action

6/20/25

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis under and the administration of the Texas Compassionate-Use Program; requiring registration.

Impact

The bill amends existing statutes in the Health and Safety Code to facilitate the establishment of new dispensing organizations and to govern the licensing process more efficiently. It mandates that the Department of Public Safety and the Health and Human Services Commission implement necessary rules by specific deadlines, ensuring that patients will have access to licensed dispensaries by the set dates. Furthermore, the bill prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting regulations that would restrict the cultivation or dispensing of low-THC cannabis, thereby standardizing access across Texas.

Summary

House Bill 46, relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis under the Texas Compassionate-Use Program, aims to refine regulations surrounding the prescription and dispensing of low-THC cannabis to eligible patients. This bill stipulates the conditions under which physicians can prescribe low-THC cannabis, detailing the necessary patient diagnoses, dosage limits, and the licensing processes for dispensing organizations. Additionally, it seeks to enhance patient access by ensuring that new dispensing organizations can be licensed in a timely manner, thereby expanding the availability of low-THC cannabis products for Texans in need.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB46 appears generally positive among medical professionals and advocates for improved patient care, who see it as a progressive step toward addressing the medical needs of patients suffering from serious conditions. However, there exist concerns among some stakeholders regarding the potential for misuse and the overall impact of cannabis-related legislation on community health and safety. The discussions have highlighted a need to balance accessibility with caution effectively.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB46 include debates regarding the adequacy of safeguards to prevent misuse of the prescribed cannabis and concerns about the health implications for patients. Some legislators expressed fears that expanding access could lead to unintended consequences. The requirement for physicians to provide medical evidence when prescribing cannabis is one measure included to address these concerns. Nonetheless, the bill has faced scrutiny over the potential for quelling local governments' ability to regulate cannabis within their jurisdictions.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Health And Safety Code

Chapter 487. Texas Compassionate-use Act
- Section: 101
- Section: 103
- Section: New Section
- Section: 104
- Section: 107
- Section: 201
- Section: 053
- Section: 054
- Section: 101
- Section: 102
- Section: 103
- Section: 104
- Section: New Section
- Section: 105
- Section: 107
- Section: 151
- Section: 201
- Section: 053
- Section: 054
- Section: 101
- Section: 102
- Section: 103
- Section: 104
- Section: New Section
- Section: 105
- Section: 107
- Section: 151
- Section: 201
- Section: 053
- Section: 054
- Section: 101
- Section: 102
- Section: 103
- Section: New Section
- Section: 104
- Section: 105
- Section: 151
- Section: 201
- Section: 001
- Section: 053
- Section: 101
- Section: 102
- Section: 103
- Section: New Section
- Section: 104
- Section: 105
- Section: 107
- Section: 151
- Section: 201
- Section: 001
- Section: 053
- Section: 101
- Section: 102
- Section: 103
- Section: 104
- Section: New Section
- Section: 105
- Section: 104
- Section: New Section
- Section: 105
- Section: 107
- Section: 151
- Section: 201

Occupations Code

Chapter 169. Authority To Prescribe Low-thc Cannabis To Certain Patients For Compassionate Use
- Section: 001
- Section: 003
- Section: New Section
- Section: 001
- Section: 003
- Section: New Section
- Section: 001
- Section: 003
- Section: New Section
- Section: 001
- Section: 003
- Section: New Section
- Section: 001
- Section: 003
- Section: New Section
- Section: 001
- Section: 003
- Section: New Section
- Section: 003
- Section: New Section

Latest TX HB46 Activity

View All Events: TX 2025 - 89th Regular HB46

Companion Bills

TX SB1505

Similar Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis under and the administration of the Texas Compassionate-Use Program.

Previously Filed As

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 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 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 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 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 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 HB1805

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

TX HB3068

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.

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Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis under and the administration of the Texas Compassionate-Use Program.

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