The Texas medicinal cannabis program has seen an increase in patient enrollment, with approximately 22,000 new patients added between September and April, bringing the total patient count to nearly 150,000, according to state data reported by the Houston Chronicle. This expansion follows legislative changes enacted last year, primarily driven by the inclusion of chronic pain as an eligible condition. Despite this growth, the overall trajectory of the program has not accelerated as rapidly as some proponents had anticipated.
Legislative Expansion and Patient Demographics
In June 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law the most significant expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program (CUP) to date. This legislation broadened the list of qualifying medical conditions, increased the allowable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration, and expanded the number of licensed dispensaries from three to 15. These changes, which took effect in September, were largely supported by veterans’ advocacy groups.
Since the program’s expansion, chronic pain has emerged as the most common newly eligible condition, accounting for a substantial portion of the patient growth. Dr. Matthew Brimberry, founder of Texas Cannabis Clinic, noted that prior to September, the majority of his patients were treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, since September, approximately 80% of his patients present with chronic pain, with PTSD accounting for 10% and other qualifying conditions making up the remaining 10%.
Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original, one of the state’s established medicinal cannabis dispensaries, reported a slight rise in patient numbers.
Implementation Challenges and Accessibility
Despite the legislative framework for expansion, the implementation of the Texas medicinal cannabis program has encountered delays. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is still in the process of finalizing licenses that would significantly increase the number of operational dispensaries. As previously reported by Hemp Gazette, the DPS issued 12 new conditional licenses in April and May, but these new locations may take several months or even years to become fully operational, particularly in underserved areas of the state.
Further challenges include the DPS’s pending approval of pulmonary inhalation devices, which became legal under the expansion. These devices are popular among patients with sudden-onset symptoms, such as those experiencing PTSD episodes. Additionally, while the law raised the previous cap on THC concentrations, the number of higher-dose products approved for final sale remains unclear.
Susan Hays, a lawyer who served on the DPS’s now-disbanded working group focused on medicinal cannabis, commented that the program’s growth has been hindered because it remains largely inaccessible and expensive for many patients. This situation is further complicated by the presence of a largely unregulated market for hemp-derived THC products in Texas, which some observers suggest competes with the regulated medicinal cannabis program.
Federal Rescheduling Context
The industry is also monitoring potential federal policy shifts. The Trump administration initiated a process last month to reclassify medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Administrative hearings to formalize this change are scheduled to commence in late June.
Should this rescheduling receive ultimate approval, it would formally acknowledge the medical utility of cannabis, potentially loosening certain restrictions on research and prescribing practices. Dr. Brimberry anticipates that such a change could encourage physicians to be more open in discussions with patients about medical cannabis and consider it a viable treatment option.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
