Taylor County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Taylor County?

House Bill No. 1535 only permits the cultivation of low-tetrahydrocannabinol (low-THC) marijuana by licensed dispensaries for medical use. This prohibits Taylor County residents from personally cultivating marijuana in their homes.

Licensed dispensaries may only operate in their approved locations. They must have the relevant technological and technical abilities necessary for cultivation. Furthermore, they are held accountable for all raw materials, finished products, and by-products produced during cultivation.

Following Chapter 12 of the Texas Administrative Code, low-THC marijuana may only be cultivated indoors. This indoor facility must have adequate security and surveillance systems to prevent unauthorized entries and the diversion of raw materials and low-THC products. Only shatter-resistant or burglar-proof windows are allowed in the facility's cultivation, processing, production, and storage areas. Moreover, metal security doors with secure locking capabilities that comply with life safety requirements are required in all access points within the facility.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Taylor County?

Processing or manufacturing low-THC marijuana by licensed dispensaries is legal in Taylor County. As defined in House Bill No. 1535, this may include any part of the plant as well as any compound, mixture, derivative, manufacture, preparation, or oil of the plant that contains a maximum of 1% by weight of THC.

The Texas Agriculture Code and Chapter 12 of the Texas Administrative guide the dispensaries in manufacturing low-THC marijuana. Generally, all facilities must comply with the required fire, safety, and building codes. A certified commercially-manufactured extraction system must be utilized during the process, and a gas detection system must be installed when gaseous hydrocarbon-based solvents are used. A representative sample of the finished products must be tested for THC levels, residual solvents, pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals. Lastly, all products must be stored in child-resistant packaging and labeled appropriately.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Taylor County?

Qualified patients residing in Taylor County may have access to low-THC marijuana products through the pick-up locations and delivery services offered by the three licensed dispensaries in Texas. Depending on their prescription, qualified patients may be able to purchase edibles, gummies, beverages, tinctures, and lozenges.

Employees of these dispensaries must utilize the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) during the dispensing process:

1. They must verify if the prescription presented is for the customer.

2. They must double-check that the dose indicated in the prescription and the CURT match.

3. They must record the products dispensed and the date and time of dispensation after releasing the customer’s orders.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Taylor County?

To compensate for the limited number of licensed dispensaries in Texas and to ensure statewide access to low-THC marijuana, delivery services are offered to qualified patients in Taylor County. Orders may be placed online or through a call to schedule delivery or pick-up.

Vehicles transporting low-THC marijuana should have sufficient security systems and well-trained delivery personnel. All products to be delivered must be stored in a locked container attached to the vehicle. Only CURT-registered patients may receive deliveries. A valid ID must be presented by patients or by their registered caregivers during delivery.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Taylor County

Taylor County patients will not have a medical marijuana card since the state does not provide it. To ensure access to low-THC marijuana, patients must have a CURT-registered physician assess their condition and prescribe low-THC marijuana.

As stated in the Texas Occupations Code Section 169.003, patients must have autism, seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, spasticity, or incurable neurodegenerative disease to qualify. If the benefits of using low-THC marijuana far outweigh the risks, the physician may enter the patient’s prescription in the CURT to make it accessible to dispensaries.

The state’s Department of Public Safety may be contacted at (512) 424-7293 for inquiries. Alternatively, a mail may be sent to:

Texas Department of Public Safety

Compassionate Use Program - MSC 0240

PO Box 4087

Austin, TX 78773-0240

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Taylor County?

Low-THC marijuana sales in Taylor County do not have any sales tax following Texas laws and regulations. The state generates income through the fees collected from applications and licensing of dispensaries. The registration fee for both initial registration and renewal amounts to $530. An initial application fee is worth $7,356, while a license fee with a two-year validity costs $488,520. On the other hand, $318,511 is collected from each dispensary for every renewal.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Taylor County

Since Texas legalized the medical use of low-THC marijuana in 2015, crime rates in Taylor County have significantly decreased. Based on the 2014 and 2021 reports of the Taylor County Sheriff's Office on the FBI Crime Data Explorer, arrests for marijuana possession offenses in the county dropped from 28 to 11. Additionally, marijuana drug sales offenses decreased from one arrest to none.