Compassionate Use Program: 9 New Licensee

Texas is taking meaningful steps to strengthen the Texas Compassionate Use Program following
the passage of HB 46. New qualifying conditions like chronic pain, traumatic brain injury,
Crohn’s disease, and hospice care are now in effect, and DSHS has adopted rules for approving
inhalation devices and allowing physicians to recommend additional conditions for future
legislative consideration.

The big new this week is the licensing of nine new businesses, expanding the number of
operators from three to twelve, with three more expected by April. With criteria
slanted toward large multi-state companies, Texas companies hardly stood a chance.
Here are the newly licensed businesses:

Verano Texas, LLC
Lonestar Compassionate Care Group, LLC
TexaRx
Trulieve TX, Inc
Lone Star Bioscience, Inc
Story of Texas. LLC
Texas Patient Access, LLC
PharmaCann
Dalitso, LLC

Note: These are conditional licenses subject to additional due diligence evaluations
such as disciplinary actions, financial suitability, litigation history, and any
other information as required by the Department following Phase I of the
selection process.

Once officially approved, in addition to their primary location, these businesses
will also be able to open satellite locations, improving patient access
across the state.

While we appreciate progress, after 10 long years of advocacy, TCUP still has
substantial room for improvement. Whole-plant cannabis remains unavailable
and patient protections remain weak in areas like employment, parental rights,
probation, and firearms. High fees and rigid criteria continue to limit
opportunities for small businesses, making it difficult for Texas-based
applicants to compete in the current licensing structure.

It’s clear that meaningful work remains if we want a Compassionate Use Program
that is truly accessible, fair, and responsive to the needs of patients.
We’ll be digging into these issues and discussing solutions at the Texas
Cannabis Policy Conference, January 29–31 in Austin.

Registration is now open: https://texascannabisconference.org/registration
Read more below about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Toward Liberty,

Heather Fazio
Texas Cannabis Policy Center
www.TexasCannabisPolicy.org
www.TexasCannabisConference.org