WE BELIEVE | WE ADVOCATE | WE EDUCATE | WE SERVE
About Us and TCUP Updates
WE ARE - TEXANS FOR SAFE ACCESS
We share the mission of our national organization, Americans for Safe Access (ASA), which is to ensure safe and legal access to cannabis (marijuana) for therapeutic use and research.
ASA was founded in 2002, by medical cannabis patient Steph Sherer, as a vehicle for patients to advocate for the acceptance of cannabis as medicine. With over 100,000 active members in all 50 states, ASA is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.
Texans for Safe Access obtained its 501c3 nonprofit status in 2019, opening the way for patient advocacy in the state.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND UPDATES
2015
In 2015, the 84th Texas Legislative Session enacted the Texas Compassionate Use Act (Senate Bill 339) requiring the Department of Public Safety to create a secure registry of physicians treating intractable epilepsy patients with low-THC cannabis. The program is known as the TCUP.
The Compassionate Use Act enables regulated entities referred to as "dispensing organizations" to cultivate, process, and distribute low-THC cannabis to specific patients. Differing from comparable laws in other states that provide limited access to CBD-based medical marijuana products, the Texas legislation mandates that eligible physicians become part of a physician registry. This registry must include essential information such as dosage recommendations, means of administration, and the total quantity of low-THC cannabis needed to fulfill the patient's prescription.
In 2019, the program underwent an expansion to encompass more medical conditions and physician specialties eligible for the prescription of low-THC cannabis.
2019
ALL PATIENTS DESERVE SAFE ACCESS
2021
In 2021, the governor signed HB 1535 into law, which took effect on September 1, 2021. This legislation modestly increased the THC cap for medical cannabis from 0.5% to 1%, allowing for slightly more potent treatment options for patients in the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP).
HB 1535 also expanded access to the program by adding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition. This important change opened the door for veterans and other individuals suffering from PTSD to benefit from medical cannabis as part of their treatment plan. Additionally, the bill established Institutional Review Boards to oversee and facilitate research on medical cannabis within TCUP, laying the groundwork for future program improvements and potential expansion.
PATIENTS GET LEFT OUT
2023
January 2023
The Texas Department of Public Safety has established the Compassionate Use Working Group.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), began accepting new applications for Compassionate Use Program dispensing organization licenses. Licensing application period ended in April 2023.
Compassionate Use Program Working Group Members:
Chase Bearden, Patient Representative
Robert Beasley, Dispensing Organization
Elizabeth Cross, Patient Representative
Michael Gorby, MD PA FACP,
Susan Hays, Public (non-stakeholder)
Allison Kendrick , MD, Qualified and currently registered physician
Robert Marks, MD, Qualified and currently registered physician
Nico Richardson, Dispensing Organization
Eugene Tallman, Dispensing Organization
The purpose of the Compassionate Use Program Working Group is to provide feedback and suggestions for improvements to the Compassionate Use Program.
2025
We have nearly a dozen medical cannabis bills filed in the Texas Legislature this year, each with the potential to bring meaningful improvements to the Compassionate Use Program (CUP). These bills collectively address several critical areas, including expanding the list of qualifying medical conditions, improving patient access to medical cannabis, and establishing stronger patient protections. By enacting these changes, Texas can ensure that more patients receive the compassionate care they need, while reducing barriers to treatment and safeguarding the rights of individuals who rely on medical cannabis for relief.
While there is a clear need for a more robust program, Texas is taking meaningful steps toward making the
Compassionate Use Program more patient-centered and inclusive.
House Bills
1. HB 1146 (Rep. Penny Morales Shaw - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1146
Expands the medical use of low-THC cannabis for patients diagnosed with certain conditions, such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Allows doctors to prescribe low-THC cannabis under specific conditions and ensures that its use is considered a reasonable treatment.
This bill is set to become effective on September 1, 2025.
2. HB 1504 (Rep. Ron Reynolds - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1504
Legalizes the possession, use, cultivation, and distribution of medical cannabis for eligible patients.
Establishes a licensing framework for dispensing organizations and cannabis testing facilities.
Includes provisions for the imposition of fees to support the program.
3. HB 1574 (Rep. Venton Jones - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1574
Focuses on the medical use of low-THC cannabis for patients with qualifying medical conditions, offering greater access for those in need.
4. HB 1797 (Rep. John Bucy - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1797
Protects patients who use low-THC cannabis or hemp for medical purposes in the workplace, particularly in drug testing and prescription policies for state agency employees and contractors.
5. HJR 70 (Rep. Ron Reynolds - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HJR70
Proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to permit and regulate the possession, cultivation, and sale of cannabis for medical use in the state.
Senate Bills
6. SB 170 (Sen. José Menéndez - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB170
Authorizes medical cannabis use for patients with certain conditions, including the possession, cultivation, and sale of the substance.
Includes a licensing system for medical cannabis organizations and introduces fees.
The bill has been referred to the Health & Human Services Committee for review.
7. SB 259 (Sen. Carol Alvarado - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB259
Expands the use of medical cannabis as a treatment option for patients and establishes a regulatory framework for dispensing organizations and individuals involved in the cannabis process.
This bill is also under review by the Health & Human Services Committee.
8. SB 733 (Sen. José Menéndez - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB733
Proposes the creation of a medical cannabis research program to further investigate its medical benefits.
It is currently under review by the Health & Human Services Committee.
9. SB 734 (Sen. José Menéndez - D) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB734
Similar to SB 170, this bill allows for the use, possession, cultivation, distribution, sale, and research of medical cannabis for qualifying patients.
It also sets up a licensing system for cannabis organizations and introduces fees.
This bill is being reviewed by the Health & Human Services Committee.
10. SB 928 (Sen. Nathan Johnson - D) https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB928
Deals with the medical use, possession, and delivery of low-THC cannabis, as well as the related paraphernalia, under the Texas Compassionate Use Program.
11. SB1505 (Sen. Charles Perry – R) https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1505
Limits the number of licenses to 6(six).
Limits each serving to 5mg THC.
Limits packages to 300mg THC
No additional conditions added after 4 years
These bills highlight the ongoing efforts in Texas to broaden access to medical cannabis, while addressing patient protection and regulatory needs in the industry.
ASA and our members have moved public policy forward by incorporating strategies across many disciplines.
ASA has brought together policy experts, public health experts, attorneys, lobbyists, scientists, industry associations and medical professionals to create the campaigns, projects and programs that have broken down political, social, academic, and legal barriers across the US.
3
Texas Medical Cannabis Providers
3 Safe, Legal Cannabis MedicalCannabis Providers Operating
In Doing So....
ASA occupies a seat at the table for medical cannabis patients in policy matters.
ASA changed the national dialogue about medical cannabis.
ASA created a global patient network.
ASA has passed local, state, and federal laws.
ASA has fought and won in state and federal courts.
ASA has provided quality legal and medical education for medical cannabis stakeholders.
ASA brought cannabis back into the Herbal Pharmacopeia.
ASA has created product safety standards for medical cannabis products.
ASA has built the world’s first International Cannabis and Cannabinoid Institute.
ASA has trained thousands of patient advocates on civil engagement.
ASA has created accredited education programs for doctors, patients, and providers.
100,000
National Active Members
We have over 100K national active membersadvocating for safe access.
2000
Active State Member
We are growing daily, Invite your friends and family to join us!
WE BELIEVE IN
Safe Access For All Patients
Ensuring all Texans have safe and legal access to cannabis means:
State laws and regulations recognized cannabis as a legal medicine.
Medical professionals recommend medical cannabis options as a frontline treatment option or an adjunct therapy.
Patients and their caregivers have the information they need to make educated choices about medical cannabis therapies.
Patients and medical professionals can incorporate a diverse group of products and delivery methods to create the required personalized treatment regimen.
Patients can trust labels on products and that medicines are free of pesticides and contaminants.
Medical cannabis treatments are covered by insuranceConsumer Safety
