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Relating to authorizing the possession, use, cultivation, processing,
distribution, transportation, research, testing, and delivery of low-THC cannabis for
medical use by patients with certain debilitating medical conditions and the licensing of
cannabis dispensing organizations, cannabis research organizations, and cannabis testing
facilities; establishing the cannabis therapeutic research review board; authorizing fees
Because the fees imposed by the bill and the number of potential testing facility and research
organization applicants is unknown, the revenue implications cannot be determined. However,
Health and Safety Code, Section 487.052, requires the Department of Public Safety to set fees for
the program at a level that is sufficient to cover the cost of its administration, so there would be
no fiscal impact to the State.
HB 1365 would legalize low-THC medical cannabis in the state, under certain conditions. The bill would permit physicians to prescribe low-THC cannabis to individuals with debilitating medical conditions and would allow individuals to possess an amount of low-THC cannabis not to exceed a 30-day supply of the prescribed amount. This bill would additionally issue protections from legal action for the production of cannabis if the intent is for a medicinal purpose.
The bill would also allow for cannabis testing facility and research organization licenses (issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety) and would ease the ability of cannabis dispensary license holders to expand to additional retail locations. DPS would be granted additional authority to adopt a host of applicable rules, regulations and procedures related to low-THC medical cannabis and applicable licenses.
The bill would additionally rename the Therapeutic Research Program to the Cannabis Therapeutic Research Program and would make various changes to its composition, duties and procedures relating to the research and oversight of low-THC cannabis for medical purposes in the state. Lastly, the bill would prohibit a student from being from being suspended, expelled, etc. due to their use or possession of prescribed low-THC cannabis.
Texas Action supports HB 1365 because it adheres to the principles of limited government by removing barriers to proper medicinal treatment of a patient by their physician, if the physician believes it is medically necessary for the patient to be prescribed low-THC medical cannabis.