Texas Senate Bill SB79

Texas 2017 - 85th 1st C.S.

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.