Is smoking weed in public allowed in Texas? We answer this and other marijuana questions
Texas is one of several states that allow medical marijuana use, but its extremely limited and heavily regulated.
In total, 21 states across the U.S. have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states have allowed medical use. While surrounding states such as New Mexico and Colorado allow recreational use, Texans should be wary about taking weed home.
Here’s what to know about medical marijuana in Texas:
Can I smoke medical weed in Texas?
No, since medicinal marijuana in Texas does not come in a smokable form.
Texas state law only allows dispensaries to create gummies, pills, lozenges, tinctures and sprays of cannabis products, according to Thrive Medical Cannabis.
Oklahoma and Louisiana have looser medical marijuana laws and allow smokable cannabis for patients along with gummies and oils.
Who qualifies for medical marijuana in Texas?
Only Texans with certain medical conditions qualify for medicinal marijuana.
In 2015, lawmakers passed the Texas Compassionate Act, allowing the Department of Public Safety to prescribe low-THC oil to certain patients. The prescription comes from the plant cannabis sativa L and contains no more than 0.5% by weight of THC, according to Texas.Gov.
The DPS operates an online registry of physicians who prescribe the low-grade cannabis to people with:
Epilepsy
Seizure disorders
Multiple sclerosis
Spasticity
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Autism
Cancer
Post traumatic stress disorder
Incurable neurodegenerative disease like muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s.
Patients can be prescribed low-THC if they live in Texas, have one of the medical conditions and the approval from a qualified compassionate use physician. Finding a physician to prescribe low-THC can be found by searching the DPS website.
In Texas, is a medical marijuana card needed to receive treatment?
No, Texas does not issue medical marijuana cards like other states.
Instead of a card, Texans only need to qualify under certain requirements and follow these steps according to Texas Original, a medical cannabis company:
Be a Texas resident over the age of 18
Have an approved medical condition from the Department of Public Safety’s list.
Receive the medical marijuana prescription through a physician registered with the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas.
How many medical marijuana dispensaries are there in Texas?
There are only three licensed medical cannabis dispensaries located in Texas: Texas Original, Goodblend Texas and Fluent cannabis.
Each company is different on how they dispense medical marijuana, with some shipping to patients homes or at pickup locations across the state. Prices vary with medicinal products such as edibles and oils.
To see what each dispensary has to offer, follow these links:
