Texas 2017 - 85th 1st C.S.

Texas House Bill HB85

Caption

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.

Impact

One of the significant impacts of HB85 is its amendments to the Health and Safety Code, particularly in establishing a medical cannabis registry to track patient use and compliance. This registry will allow medical professionals to certify suitable candidates for medical cannabis treatment, thus creating a formal process that enhances patient access while ensuring that the use of medical cannabis is handled responsibly. The bill also introduces the licensing of dispensing organizations and testing facilities, ensuring that medical cannabis is cultivated, processed, and distributed under state regulations. This will facilitate legal access to medical cannabis for patients while maintaining safety standards.

Summary

House Bill 85 focuses on the authorization for possession, use, cultivation, distribution, and delivery of medical cannabis for patients with specific debilitating medical conditions. The bill aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for medical cannabis in Texas by defining the parameters under which patients may acquire and utilize medical cannabis. Under the proposed law, health care providers can recommend medical cannabis to patients diagnosed with one or more debilitating conditions, including terminal cancer, multiple sclerosis, autism, and Parkinson's disease.

Contention

Points of contention around HB85 include discussions on the potential risks associated with medical cannabis use and the extent of regulations placed on providers and dispensaries. Critics may argue that the bill should ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent misuse while supporters emphasize the necessity of medical cannabis access for patients with serious health conditions. Additionally, there are concerns regarding how local governments will handle regulations surrounding cannabis and whether they will be able to impose local rules or completely prohibit cannabis operations, which the bill indicates they cannot do.

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 HB3652

Relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, testing, possession, and use of cannabis and cannabis products; authorizing the imposition of taxes and fees; requiring an occupational license; 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 HB1341

Relating to repealing certain offenses and removing certain regulations relating to the cultivation, manufacture, delivery, and possession of marihuana and cannabis.

TX HB3068

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

Similar Bills

TX HB3340

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and the licensing of medical cannabis dispensing organizations; authorizing fees.

TX HB2107

TX SB1837

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by patients for whom a physician determines medical use is the best available treatment for the patient's medical condition or symptoms, and the licensing of medical cannabis dispensing organizations; authorizing fees.

TX HB809

TX SB865

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

TX SB250

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use by patients for whom a physician determines medical use is the best available treatment for the patient's medical condition or symptoms and the licensing of medical cannabis dispensing organizations; authorizing fees.

TX HB1365

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, processing, distribution, transportation, research, testing, and delivery of low-THC cannabis for medical use by patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of cannabis dispensing organizations, cannabis research organizations, and cannabis testing facilities; establishing the cannabis therapeutic research review board; authorizing fees.

TX HB3826

Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for medical use in lieu of an opioid by patients with acute or chronic pain and the licensing of medical cannabis dispensing organizations; authorizing fees.