Texas Officials Finalize Rules for Medical Marijuana Expansion
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has officially adopted new rules to expand the state’s medical marijuana program. The changes allow doctors to recommend new qualifying conditions for cannabis patients and create standards for low-THC inhalation devices.
The rules, which were proposed earlier this year, will enable doctors to submit requests to add new medical conditions to the list of qualifying conditions for which they can prescribe low-THC cannabis. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will then review these requests and submit them to lawmakers for consideration in the next legislative session.
The new rules also clarify that physicians may prescribe vapes for patients to use cannabis, but it is not mandatory. Additionally, dispensing entities can now submit a form to DSHS requesting approval of new pulmonary inhalation devices. However, the department will not set safety standards for these devices, and requests must include an attestation that they are “safe and effective.”
The expansion of the medical marijuana program comes after a law was enacted by the Texas legislature earlier this year. The law also increased the number of licensed dispensaries in the state, established security requirements for “satellite” locations, and authorized the revocation of licenses for certain violations.
The law also expanded the list of medical cannabis qualifying conditions to include chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, Crohn’s disease, and other inflammatory bowel diseases. Additionally, end-of-life patients in palliative or hospice care are now eligible to use marijuana.
Separately, DSHS has adopted emergency rules to prevent the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people under 21. This move comes after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) implemented similar restrictions in September.
The expansion of the medical marijuana program and the new rules for low-THC inhalation devices are expected to provide more options for patients and improve access to medical cannabis in Texas.
