Texas Compassionate Use Act

Texas Compassionate Use Act: The Texas Legislature passed the Compassionate Use Act in the year 2015. The Compassionate Use Act allows low-THC cannabis products to be used legally in Texas for patients with intractable epilepsy. The Act was later expanded to include other conditions by the Texas Legislature in 2019 and 2021.

The Texas Compassionate Use Act provides guidelines that allow physicians registered on the Texas Compassionate Use Registry to prescribe medical cannabis or marijuana to patients with qualifying conditions.

At first, the Texas Compassionate Use Act was opened to patients with the following conditions:

• Epilepsy
• Seizure disorder
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spasticity
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Autism
• Cancer
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Incurable Neurodegenerative Disease

The Compassionate Use Program was expanded in June 2021 to include all cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) forms. The maximum level of THC has also been raised from 0.5% to 1%.

According to this Act, patients with qualifying conditions can now have access to prescriptions for marijuana or low THC cannabis products to address their qualifying conditions through physicians who are registered on the Texas Compassionate Use Registry.

Also, marijuana doctor and physicians now have alternative natural medicine, including the legal backing to treat patients and address their qualifying conditions.

Texas Compassionate Use Act Program for Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana or cannabis is the Use of marijuana plants or chemicals derived from marijuana plants to treat diseases or medical conditions. While marijuana is used by many people for recreational purposes or to feel “high” or intoxicated, medical cannabis is used solely for medical purposes.

Marijuana plants contain more than 100 different chemical contents. Each chemical content in the marijuana plant has a different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are also chemicals found in the marijuana plant. These two chemicals are the main chemicals used in medicine.

CBD is a nonpsychoactive compound. Researchers claim that CBD can treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia. marijuana contains less than 0.5% THC concentration. The Texas Compassionate Use Act was signed into law in 2015. The Act allows people with epilepsy to access medical marijuana with less than 0.5% THC.

In 2019, the list of qualifying conditions was expanded. The Compassionate Use Act program was developed to allow people with diseases such as multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, autism, Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), terminal cancer, Huntington’s Disease, and Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) to access medical marijuana with less than 0.5% THC.

In June 2021, the Compassionate Use Act was further expanded to include all cancer diagnoses and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). THC content was also increased from 0.5% to 1%.

Texas Compassionate Use Act Qualifications

Under the Compassionate Use Act, the physician and patient must be qualified to prescribe and use marijuana.

Qualifications for Physicians

For a physician to be qualified under Texas Compassionate-Use Program;

1. The physician must be licensed under the Texas Compassionate-Use Program.

2. The physician must be board-certified in a medical specialty relevant to treating the patient’s specific medical condition. The physician must be board-certified by a specialty board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.

3. The physician must dedicate a significant part of their clinical practice to evaluating and treating a patient’s particular medical condition.

4. For a qualified physician to prescribe marijuana to qualifying patients, the physician must register in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT).

During registration in CURT, the physician must include the following information:

• Physician’s full name
• Patient’s name and date of birth
• Dosage prescribed to the patient
• Means of administration ordered for the patient
• The total amount of marijuana required to fill the patient’s prescription

After the physician has registered in CURT, the physician may be allowed to prescribe medical marijuana to patients.

Qualifications for Patients

For a patient to qualify for the Texas Compassionate Use Act;

1. The patient must be a permanent resident of Texas.

2. The patient must be diagnosed with at least one qualifying condition in the Texas Compassionate Use Act.

3. The qualified physician will then determine the benefit and risks of using medical marijuana by the patient. If the risks outweigh the benefits, the patients may not qualify to use medical cannabis.

How to register for the Medicinal Cannabis Texas Compassionate Use Act Scheme

Registration for Patients

Patients with qualifying conditions who are permanent residents of Texas may qualify to get a medical marijuana card in Texas. A marijuana ID is needed when patients want prescriptions from licensed dispensaries.

A patient must be diagnosed with at least one of the qualifying conditions to get a Texas medical marijuana card.

Medical Documentation Needed

As a patient, if you have a qualifying condition, you also need medical documentation such as medical records, pill bottles, office visit records, or a letter from your marijuana doctor stating your diagnosis. With all these available, you’re ready to be seen by a licensed marijuana doctor to get evaluated and certified.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated by a licensed medical marijuana doctor based on your current health condition. Your medical history will be reviewed, and the other documentation you provided will also be checked. If the medical marijuana doctor is satisfied, you will be approved. Your information will be entered into the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT)

A prescription will be filed for you after your information is entered into the CURT. You will then be able to access licensed dispensaries to get your cure.

Note that you won’t be given a physical medical marijuana ID card for the state of Texas.

Registration for Physicians

For a qualified physician to prescribe medical marijuana to qualifying patients, the physician must register in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT).

During registration in CURT, the physician must include the following information:

• Physician’s full name
• Patient’s name and date of birth
• Dosage prescribed to the patient
• Means of administration ordered for the patient
• The total amount of marijuana required to fill the patient’s prescription

After the physician has registered in CURT, the physician may be allowed to prescribe marijuana to patients.

Medical Conditions Covered by the Texas Compassionate Use Act

The qualifying conditions in the Compassionate Use Act include:

• All forms of epilepsy and seizure disorders
• Autism and other spectrum disorders
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Terminal Cancer
• All forms of Cancer
• Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Spasticity
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Huntington’s Disease
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
• Over 100 other neurodegenerative diseases

Texas Compassionate Use Act: Criminal Marijuana Charges

Under Texas law, it is still illegal to use or possess marijuana for recreational use. The Texas Department of Public Safety ordered its officers not to arrest people but, instead, issue citations if possible in cases of misdemeanor marijuana possession. Cases of misdemeanor marijuana possession still carry a penalty of a jail term of up to a year and a $4,000 fine.

While the Austin City Council voted to end arrests and fines for individuals possessing small amounts of marijuana, marijuana possession cases are still being prosecuted in some cities in Texas. Testing is required in labs to determine the THC concentration of marijuana. Testing can be costly.

A bill was introduced to prevent the police from arresting people who possess an ounce of marijuana or less. The statement made having an ounce or less of marijuana a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum $500 fine.

In Texas, it is still a crime to possess marijuana of over 0.3% THC, which a registered medical marijuana doctor does not prescribe for a qualifying condition.

FAQs

Does Texas Compassionate Use Act allow medical marijuana?

Yes. Texas allows the medical use of marijuana. The Texas Compassionate Use Act allows people with qualifying conditions to access medical cannabis.

What is the compassionate use of a drug?

Compassionate Use of a drug means making an unapproved drug available or approving an otherwise unapproved drug to treat a seriously ill patient or a patient suffering from a life-threatening condition when no other treatment options are available.

What is the compassionate use program in Texas?

The Compassionate Use Program in Texas allows patients with qualifying conditions to use medical marijuana or low-THC cannabis.

What conditions are covered under the Texas Compassionate Use Act Program?

The conditions converted under the Compassionate Use Program include:

• All forms of epilepsy and seizure disorders
• Autism and other spectrum disorders
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Spasticity
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Terminal Cancer
• All forms of Cancer
• Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Huntington’s Disease
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
• Over 100 other neurodegenerative diseases

Does Texas accept out-of-state MMJ cards?

No. Texas doesn’t accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards.

Why choose Compassionate Telemedicine to get your medical marijuana prescription?

You can use compassionate telemedicine to get your medical marijuana prescription if you don’t live close to a registered marijuana doctor.

Can patients under the age of 18 participate?

Yes. There are no age restrictions under the Compassionate Use Act.

Is Texas Compassionate Use Act the same as the right to try act?

Compassionate Use is similar to right-to-try, but they’re not entirely the same.

The right-to-try law was enacted in 2018. The law allows patients who have been diagnosed with life-threatening diseases or conditions to access experimental drugs, but after they must have tried all approved treatment options and are unable or not qualified to participate in clinical trials.

The right-to-try Act allows patients suffering from life-threatening or terminal diseases to try drugs that have passed the essential safety phase (Phase I) of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval process but have not yet been approved for general use. Patients with life-threatening conditions who cannot participate in clinical trials and have tried all other treatment options are eligible.

Compassionate Use allows an unapproved drug to be made available to treat a seriously ill patient or a patient suffering from a life-threatening condition when no other treatment options are available.

In Compassionate Use, patients can use unapproved drugs outside of clinical trials. Still, in try-to-try, patients can use unapproved medicines only if they’re unable or not qualified to participate in clinical trials.

Ark Medical Texas Cannabis Clinic: Best Marijuana Doctor/Clinic to get Medical Marijuana Treatment in Texas

Ark Medical Texas Cannabis Clinic is a reputable marijuana doctor/cannabis clinic in Texas. We use low-THC cannabis and its products to treat various medical conditions that do not respond to conventional medications.

We provide a natural way of treating various medical conditions, including their symptoms, using medical cannabis. We are the best marijuana doctor/clinic in Texas to get medical marijuana treatments. We provide treatment for various conditions that are among the qualifying conditions under the Compassionate Use Act.

Please book an appointment with us today for evaluation and prescriptions.