The Texas House on Tuesday passed a measure to expand the state’s medical cannabis program by increasing the THC levels allowed in cannabis products and adding chronic pain to the state’s qualifying conditions list, the Dallas Morning News reports. Under the proposal, THC levels in medical cannabis products sold in Texas would be raised to 10 milligrams per dosage unit – up from the current 1% limit.
The bill would allow patients who would otherwise get an opioid prescription for pain to access medical cannabis products.
State Rep. Stephanie Klick (R), who is also a nurse, told the Morning News that officials have “been trying to cut back on opioid use for a number of years.”
The last program update occurred in 2021 when lawmakers passed a bill to include post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer to the state’s qualifying conditions list.
The measure still requires one vote in the House before moving to the Senate. The bill passed the House by a 121-23 vote. (Full Story)