The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at significantly expanding the state’s medical use program, according to a report by the Texas Tribune. The legislation, House Bill 46, was introduced by Rep. Ken King (R) and passed with bipartisan support.
If enacted, the bill would add chronic pain and Crohn’s disease to the list of qualifying medical conditions under the state’s existing program. It would also permit a wider range of product formats for patients, including transdermal patches, topicals, suppositories, prescribed inhalers, and certain vaporization devices.
“There are too many Texans who are still struggling to get access to the medicine they legally have a right to receive,” Rep. King said during floor remarks, emphasizing the need for expanded accessibility and more effective treatment options for patients throughout the state.
The legislation also aims to improve access for Texans living in rural areas, where options for qualifying patients remain limited due to provider shortages and logistical hurdles.
Texas established its Compassionate Use Program in 2015 to provide low-THC products to registered patients, initially focused on those with intractable epilepsy. Since then, the list of approved conditions has grown to include cancer, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, and certain neurodegenerative disorders. However, advocates have continued to push for broader eligibility and a more inclusive list of treatment options.
Meanwhile, the debate over intoxicating hemp products remains ongoing in the Texas Legislature. Last month, the Senate approved a controversial bill that would have banned all products containing any level of THC. However, a House committee recently amended that proposal to regulate, rather than outright prohibit, the sale of such products—creating a stark divide between the two chambers on how to handle the issue moving forward.
The expansion bill now heads to the Texas Senate for consideration, where its fate remains uncertain amid broader discussions about regulatory policy and access across the state.
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