Texas has historically been known for having very harsh penalties for marijuana, especially when compared with west coast cannabis laws. Although times are changing in the lone star state, it’s still easy to assume that you can’t access marijuana in Texas at all. In this article, we will explore whether there is any truth to this statement. The truth is that a version of a Texas medical card may allow you to access marijuana in a medical way if it could be beneficial for a qualifying condition. Here’s everything you need to know about medical marijuana in Texas.
Recreational Marijuana in Texas
Texas has not legalized recreational marijuana. If you do not have a qualifying condition or are not licensed by the state to sell marijuana, you are not legally allowed to possess, buy, grow, or sell marijuana in the traditional sense. In 2019, however, it was made legal to buy and sell hemp-derived CBD with a THC percentage of less than 0.3% without a doctor’s note, so anyone can purchase low-THC CBD products. It is true that there are quite a few members who tend to grow these low-THC strains on their premises with the support of companies like Scynce LED and others, but they still need authorization in order to sell them or grow them in the first place.
Medical Marijuana Cards
Some research that you can find online suggests that marijuana can have many health benefits. CBD oil, for instance, could be used to treat mental health disorders, serve as a pain reliever, help treat motor disorders, etc. Now for the bigger question: is CBD oil legal, or are any other marijuana products legal for medical usage in Texas? Well, traditional medical marijuana cards can allow an individual to buy and use conventional marijuana to help their disability. However, Texas doesn’t have these traditional medical marijuana cards. If you’re pursuing medical marijuana in Texas, you won’t get a card that allows you to buy marijuana. Instead, you’ll receive a prescription from a doctor that allows you access to certain products that have a higher THC percentage than allowed by law in CBD products.
How Does Medical Marijuana Work in Texas?
When you make an appointment with a doctor who can prescribe medical marijuana in Texas, they will talk to you and make sure that marijuana could help your specific concern. Then, they’ll give you a prescription, which will allow you to get products with up to 1% THC. Products with higher than 1% THC are illegal in Texas, even through a doctor’s recommendation. You will take your cannabis prescription and ID to the dispensary, which will give you the products that your doctor has recommended. You can have follow-up appointments with your doctor to have recurring prescriptions for your condition.
Qualifying Conditions in Texas
The list of qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana in Texas is fairly short, contrasted with the substantially larger list in many other states. This is the list of qualifying conditions in Texas:
- Intractable Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Autism
- Neuropathy
- Incurable Neurodegenerative Diseases
- PTSD (Only for Armed Forces veterans)
If you have one of these qualifying conditions, you may be able to access a marijuana prescription. Make sure you get the necessary documentation before you schedule a consultation with the doctor, as the doctor will make a choice during the telehealth consultation.
Conclusion
Currently, recreational marijuana is not legal in Texas, and even medical marijuana in the way most people think of it isn’t legal. However, there are many ways to use marijuana for medical purposes, and 1% THC products could be very beneficial for many conditions. If you’re interested in using medical marijuana for your personal needs, talking to a doctor could help you, even in Texas.
