In 2015, the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) was authored by Republicans in both the state House and Senate. It passed out of the Senate 30-1 and out of the House 108-38, both supermajorities. Governor Abbott held a signing ceremony to bring this important program into effect. In 2016, TCUP was added to the Texas GOP Platform as Plank 165. In 2019 and 2021, the Texas Legislature passed changes which expands the program’s qualifying conditions.
TCUP provides low-THC cannabis oil to registered patients who have a prescription from their physician. This program serves those who live with the following conditions: all epilepsy and seizure disorders, all forms of cancer, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spasticity, autism, peripheral neuropathies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and other incurable neurological disorders. Review full list of conditions.
TCUP is designed to serve Texas residents exclusively, non-residents cannot participate. Low-THC cannabis oil contains 1% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), with THC being the only restricted cannabinoid. Learn how a patient enrolls in the Texas Compassionate Use Program.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) oversees the regulatory and licensing process, managing the security, production, processing, and distribution of the medicine. This includes ensuring security measures are in place, records and operational standards are maintained, and facilities are periodically inspected by the department. DPS is tasked with regulating inventory tracking, product testing, and packaging standards.
There are currently three licensed dispensing organizations: Compassionate Cultivation, GoodblendTX, and Cansortium Texas. Roughly 150 physicians are registered with the program as of August 2021, which is required to prescribe this medicine.