Texas Lawmakers Consider Expanding Medical Cannabis Access with HB46

17 April 2025

The Texas House Public Health Committee heard testimony on a bill that could reshape access to medical cannabis in the state. House Bill 46, brought forward by Republican Representative Ken King, proposes to expand the Texas Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Program - widely considered one of the most limited in the country. The bill would increase the number of licenses available for dispensaries from three to eleven and allow those dispensaries to operate satellite storage facilities across the state, significantly improving access for Texas medical marijuana patients.

The bill also updates dosage limits and permits new forms of cannabis consumption, such as tinctures and vaporized inhalation, if a doctor determines it’s medically necessary. Perhaps most notably, it adds chronic pain to the list of qualifying conditions for Texas cannabis patients, a move aimed at providing an alternative to opioids. HB46 also prevents local governments from banning cannabis operations that are authorized by the state.

With an effective date set for September 1, 2025, if passed, HB46 represents a shift toward a more accessible and regulated medical cannabis framework in Texas. While still modest compared to other states, this expansion could improve care for thousands of patients and open new opportunities for licensed cannabis providers in Texas.