Texas DPS to Begin Accepting Medical Cannabis Dispensary Applications

Following a state law expanding the medical conditions qualifying for medical cannabis, the Texas Department of Public Safety will begin accepting applications for medical cannabis dispensaries in October. 

The Texas Compassionate Use Program initially only allowed patients suffering from intractable epilepsy to obtain medical cannabis—which cannot contain more than 0.5% of tetrahydrocannabinols. The list of qualifying conditions expanded to include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, autism and terminal cancer in June after House Bill 3703 became law. 

According to a Sept. 16 release on the Texas DPS website, the department said it will accept applications for cannabis dispensery licenses from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 in anticipation of an increase in demand for low-THC cannabis. Approvals will be based on cannabis producution capabilities and demand from patients, according to the release.