Texas’ Medical Marijuana Industry Set for Growth After Years of Expansion
After years of limited expansion, Texas’ medical marijuana industry is expected to experience significant growth in the coming year. A major expansion of the state’s Compassionate Use Program went into effect in September, introducing new qualifying conditions and treatment options for patients. The changes are aimed at increasing access to medical marijuana and making it more affordable for patients.
The expanded program adds five new qualifying conditions, including chronic pain, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and terminal illness. Patients will also have access to new treatment options, such as prescribed inhalers and higher THC limits. Additionally, the number of marijuana distributors will increase from three to 15, making it easier for patients to access dispensaries across the state.
The expansion is a response to concerns from medical marijuana distributors, who claimed that strict state regulations were hindering the program’s growth. These regulations included limits on THC amounts, locations, and cultivation methods, which made it difficult for distributors to operate profitably. As a result, some patients were turning to cheaper and more accessible hemp products.
However, the expanded program is expected to reduce the cost of regulation and, in turn, lower the cost of medical marijuana products. According to Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original, a Central Texas medical marijuana company, the increased competition and reduced regulatory burden will lead to lower prices for patients.
The expansion of Texas’ medical marijuana program is expected to bring more operators online, existing operators to open new facilities, and more patients to enroll in the program. This growth is likely to have a positive impact on the state’s medical marijuana industry, providing patients with greater access to a range of treatment options.
