A legislative proposal to expand Texas’ medical marijuana program has been scheduled for a vote by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 11.
Last month the House Public Health Committee gave approval to House Bill 1805, sponsored by Representative Stephanie Klick. The proposal would add chronic pain “for which a physician would otherwise prescribe an opioid” to the state’s list of qualifying medical cannabis conditions. The measure would also replace the 1% cap on THC content by instead instituting a volumetric dose of 10mg, and it empowers the Department of State Health Services to add additional qualifying condition through an administrative process.
The legislation has now been scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives, which will occur on April 11. Passage in the House would send it to the Senate.
As introduced HB 1805 would have increased the limit placed on THC content from 1% to 5%, but an amendment adopted in committee instead would institute a volumetric dose of 10mg. This change is supported by proponents of medical marijuana who argue that it will give patients more options.
Under the state’s current medical marijuana program qualifying conditions include autism, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, a seizure disorder, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an incurable neurodegenerative disease or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The full text of House Bill 1805 can be found by clicking here.
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