texas medical cannabis Archives

Texas House Committee Holding Hearing on Medical Marijuana Legislation Tomorrow (May 1)

May 5, 2017May 1, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

**Tomorrow, May 1, Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy will join with patients, caregivers, and medical professionals from around the state to testify in support of House Bill 2107.**

The Texas House Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing Tuesday on the bipartisan proposal that’s meant to fix the state’s “unworkable” medical marijuana program and make the unnecessarily restrictive law more inclusive.

According to a press release sent today by Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, the group will hold a pre-hearing media availability at 3 p.m. CT tomorrow, directly outside the hearing room (E2.012) of the State Capitol. Coalition leaders will be joined by patients (including Texas veterans), caregivers, medical professionals, and advocates from around the state who will be testifying in support of HB 2107, as well as multiple Texas families that have relocated to other states so their children can access medical marijuana.

Texas Lawmaker Files Bill to Legalize Medical Cannabis

December 6, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

$Bill to Legalize Medical Cannabis$ Texas State Senator Jose Menendez has filed legislation that would legalize medical cannabis, including a system of licensed dispensaries.

“Doctors, not politicians, should be determining what is best for Texas patients,” says Senator Menéndez. “This is legitimate medicine that can help a of variety people, from the grandmother suffering from cancer to the veteran coping with PTSD after returning home from war.”

Under the proposed law, those with a recommendation from a physician would be allowed to possess and use medical cannabis. A regulated system of dispensaries and cultivation centers would be authorized to provide patients with a means of safe access to their medicine.

Texas Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Bill

August 30, 2015June 1, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 339 this afternoon, legalizing the possession, use and state-licensed distribution of low-THC cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy.

Under the new law, sponsored Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth), those with epilepsy will be allowed to possess and use low-THC cannabis, so long as they receive a recommendation from a physician, and they consume the medicine through a means other than smoking (vaporizing, edibles, tinctures, etc.).

Texas Governor to Sign Low-THC Medical Cannabis Bill

June 1, 2015June 1, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Texas Governor Greg Abbott will sign Senate Bill 339 on Monday, a legislative proposal to legalize the medical use of low-THC cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy, according to a news advisory. Governor Abbott plans to sign the bill at an afternoon ceremony with the bill’s authors, Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) and Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth).

Under the new law, those with epilepsy who receive a recommendation from a physician would be authorized to possess and use low-THC (now more than 0.5%), high-CBD (at least 10%) cannabis. The Texas Department of Public Safety is directed to grant licenses to at minimum of three organizations by September 2017 that will be authorized to distribute cannabis medicines.

Texas Legislature Passes Low-THC Medical Cannabis Bill

May 19, 2015May 18, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

The Texas House of Representatives has voted 96 to 34 to pass Senate Bill 339, a proposal to legalize the medical use of low-THC cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy. The bill, which has already passed the full Senate with a 26 to 5 vote, now heads to Governor Greg Abbott for consideration.

The proposal, if signed by Governor Abbott (or allowed to become law without his signature), will allow those with epilepsy who receive a prescription from a physician to possess and use cannabis that has no more than 0.5% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and at least 10% CBD (cannabidiol). The bill would establish a system of cultivation centers and dispensaries, which would be overseen by the Department of Public Safety.

Texas Senate Passes Medical Cannabis Bill

May 7, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Texas’ full Senate has voted 26 to 5 to approve Senate Bill 339, a proposal to legalize the medical use of low-THC cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy.

Specifically, the legislation would allow those with epilepsy who receive a recommendation from a physician to possess and use cannabis – including the actual pant, oils tinctures, etc. – that has no more than 0.5% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and at least 10% CBD (cannabidiol). The bill would establish a system of cultivation centers and dispensaries, which would provide patients a means of safe access to the medicine.

Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill Filed in Texas Legislature

March 13, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation to legalize medical cannabis was filed today in Texas’ House of Representatives, with a companion bill being filed next week in the state’s Senate.

House Bill 3785, introduced by Representative Marisa Márquez, would allow patients who receive a recommendation from a physician to legally possess and use up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for medical purposes. Patients would also be able to cultivate up to six cannabis plants at their private residence, and the Department of State Health Services would be directed to establish a regulated system of licensed cannabis cultivators, processors, and dispensaries.

Three New Marijuana Reform Bills Being Introduced in Texas

October 25, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

By Alizeh Siddiqui, Marijuana Policy Project

AUSTIN, TX — As part of the Marijuana Policy Project’s multi-year legislative campaign in Texas, the Washington, DC based organization is developing bill proposals to address marijuana decriminalization, as well as allowing marijuana to be used for medical reasons and eventually regulating it similarly to alcohol for adults in the Lone Star State.

According to Heather Fazio, Texas Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project, the group will be pre-filing the three bills this November, in anticipation of the 84th Texas Legislative Session, starting in January.