FAQs

Medical Marijuana and the Texas Compassionate Use Program FAQs

Eligibility

Is medical cannabis legal in Texas?

Yes, for qualifying patients. Under the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP), Texas residents with a qualifying condition can receive a prescription for low-THC cannabis (no more than 10 mg of THC per dose) from a physician registered in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas. Recreational marijuana remains illegal. See our qualifying conditions page for the full list.

You must be a permanent resident of Texas and have one of the conditions listed in Texas law (updated September 1, 2025):

  • Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Spasticity
  • ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
  • Autism
  • Cancer (any cancer, not only terminal)
  • An incurable neurodegenerative disease designated by the state, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and some forms of dementia
  • PTSD
  • A condition that causes chronic pain (severe pain from an ongoing medical condition, lasting more than 90 days, that hasn’t been relieved by standard (non-chronic) pain treatment and for which THC is a reasonable option)
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Crohn’s disease or another inflammatory bowel disease
  • A terminal illness, or a condition for which you are receiving hospice or palliative care
  • A condition approved for a state research program, while you are enrolled in it

Having a qualifying diagnosis doesn’t guarantee a prescription; your physician decides whether low-THC cannabis is medically appropriate for you.

Yes. You must be a permanent resident of Texas to be eligible under the Texas Compassionate Use Program.

If it is determined that you do not meet the qualifications during your initial consultation, you will be entitled to a refund of the consultation fee.

No, Texas does not issue medical marijuana cards. If you qualify, your physician enters your prescription in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT), run by the Department of Public Safety. To fill it at a licensed dispensing organization, you’ll show a government-issued ID and confirm your last name, date of birth and the last five digits of your Social Security number.

Prescription process

How much does it cost to get a prescription?

Please find our pricing page that details the pricing and the package details within.

Once your prescription is entered in CURT, you can fill it at any state-licensed dispensing organization. Some offer delivery or satellite pickup locations, so check with the dispensing organization about options near you. Prescriptions can cover a 90-day supply with up to four 90-day refills.

If you need an adjustment, it will have to be requested through our patient portal within 30 days of your appointment visit.

Under program rules, only the patient or the patient’s legal guardian can pick up the prescription. If you have a legal guardian, send us a message in the patient portal. We’ll need your legal guardian’s first and last name and the last five digits of their Social Security number so we can add them to the registry. They will need to show ID at the dispensing organization.

No. Smoking is not a permitted medical use in Texas, and dry flower is not allowed. Products include tinctures, capsules, lozenges, gummies and sprays. Since September 1, 2025, a physician may prescribe an inhaled (vaporized) product only if they find it medically necessary, using a state-approved device that holds no more than 1 gram of THC.

Texas law

Is it legal to travel outside of Texas with medical cannabis?

No. Don’t take your Texas medical cannabis across state lines. A Texas prescription isn’t recognized in other states, and transporting cannabis between states can violate federal law and the other state’s laws, even with a valid prescription. Federal rules are changing (in April 2026, state-licensed medical marijuana was moved to Schedule III), but that change did not make interstate travel with cannabis legal.

DPS does not issue a letter or card confirming your participation in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). Law enforcement agencies can check CURT directly to verify that you have a valid prescription. Keep your products in the original labeled packaging from the dispensing organization and carry your ID.

This area of law is changing quickly, so talk with a lawyer about your situation. Here’s where things stand as of October 2026:

  • Federal law: Federal law bars “unlawful users” of controlled substances from having firearms, and the ATF has long treated any marijuana user, including medical patients, as covered. In April 2026, the federal government moved state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III, and in June 2026 the U.S. Supreme Court (United States v. Hemani) ruled the ban unconstitutional as applied to one marijuana user. The ruling was narrow, and it did not settle how the law applies to every patient.
  • Federal forms: Buying a gun from a dealer requires ATF Form 4473, which asks about marijuana use. The ATF has posted a draft revision that recognizes the change for state-authorized medical cannabis, but it was not final as of this update. Answer the form truthfully.
  • Texas law: Texas does not specifically prohibit firearm possession by Compassionate Use Program patients.

Because the law is unsettled, a medical cannabis prescription may still affect your firearm rights. We recommend consulting a lawyer before buying or possessing a firearm.

General cannabis information

What is the difference between medical marijuana and Delta-8 THC?

They are very different products:

  • Medical cannabis in Texas is low-THC cannabis (no more than 10 mg of THC per dose) prescribed by a registered physician and dispensed only by state-licensed dispensing organizations under the Compassionate Use Program.
  • Delta-8 THC is usually made by chemically converting hemp-derived CBD. It is not regulated for medical use, and products vary in strength and purity. In 2026 the Texas Supreme Court allowed the state to treat manufactured delta-8 as a Schedule I controlled substance, with enforcement starting July 31, 2026. It is not a legal alternative to a prescription.
  • Medical cannabis through the Compassionate Use Program can contain THC (the compound that causes a “high”) up to 10 mg per dose, often combined with CBD, and requires a prescription.
  • CBD is not intoxicating. Hemp-derived CBD products are sold without a prescription, but they aren’t regulated for medical use, and a new federal hemp law taking effect December 11, 2026 limits hemp products to 0.4 mg of total THC per container, which will remove many full-spectrum CBD products from shelves.

When you consult with one of our physicians, they will help you determine the best type of medical marijuana products for your condition. Your physician will guide you on dosages and recommend the appropriate form of cannabis based on your needs.

Cannabis use and safety

What are the potential side effects of medical marijuana?

Common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness or fatigue, changes in appetite, and impaired memory, concentration or coordination. Some people feel anxious, have a faster heart rate, or have low blood pressure. Don’t drive or operate machinery after taking THC. If you experience any adverse effects, contact your physician, who may adjust your prescription or suggest another treatment.

Follow the dose your physician prescribes; Texas law limits low-THC products to 10 mg of THC per dose. Don’t increase your dose on your own. Tracking your symptoms and side effects and sharing them with your physician helps them adjust your prescription if needed.

Some patients report better sleep, and some studies suggest cannabis may help short-term with sleep problems tied to pain or PTSD. The evidence is limited, and labels like “indica” don’t reliably predict effects. Long-term nightly use can lead to tolerance, and stopping can temporarily disrupt sleep. Insomnia on its own is not a qualifying condition in Texas.

You can adjust your prescription for a small fee if it’s within the first 90 days of your prescription. After 90 days, a full follow-up appointment will be necessary.

Cannabis and CBD can inhibit or induce the activity of the enzymes in your liver that metabolize some of your prescription medications. The opposite is true as well, in that certain prescription medications can affect the levels of THC in your body. Your provider will thoroughly review your prescription medications and discuss any potential interactions with you before a prescription is agreed upon.

Appointments and policies

Do you accept insurance?

No, we do not accept insurance. Our clinic accepts only credit or debit card payments.

We understand that unexpected situations arise. To ensure we provide the best service to all patients, we have the following policies in place:

  • Cancellations: Appointments must be canceled at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment may be subject to a $50 late cancellation fee.
  • No-Shows: Patients who do not show up for their appointment without prior notice will be charged the full consultation fee.
  • Rescheduling: Patients may reschedule their appointment up to 24 hours in advance without penalty. Rescheduling within 24 hours of the appointment may result in a $25 rescheduling fee.