April 14: House Committee Hearing on Rep. King's House Bill
House Bill 46, Improving the Compassionate Use Program
House Bill 46 improves the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP). The bill defines the allowable amount of THC in terms of milligrams (rather than % by weight), but legalizes the use of cannabis patches, lotions, and suppositories as well as approved inhalers, nebulizers, and vaping devices.
To ensure adequate patient access, HB 46 instructs the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to issue 11 dispensing licenses, which must be located strategically within Texas' 11 public health regions. The bill also allows dispensing organizations to open approved satellite locations.
Texas Palliative Care Advisory Council Recommends Expanding TCUP
On August 6, the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council, met to discuss a variety of recommendations to the legislature, including one recommendation to expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program.
Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council was established to assess the availability of patient-centered and family-focused palliative care in Texas. The council consults with and advises the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
During the council's discussion, Dr. Larry Driver from Houston spoke in support of the recommendation, "We're all in agreement that medical cannabis, especially in a palliative care setting, needs to at least be a part of the Compassionate Use Program. There needs to be more work done and I would hope that the state would endorse research into the potential benefits of THC and CBD."
The council approved the recommendation to expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program and it was included in their report to lawmakers who convene in January for the 89th Texas Legislative Session.
Watch the meeting here.