Texas officially became the 40th state in the country to allow medical marijuana sales, thanks to an expanded program that went into effect in September.
For years, the Lone Star State had a restrictive medical marijuana market that only allowed for products that contained 1% THC by weight. But in June, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed HB46 into law, which allows products with up to 10 milligrams per dose and expanded the number of qualifying health conditions, including chronic pain, Crohn’s disease and traumatic brain injury. The bill also authorizes the Department of Public Safety to issue a dozen more licenses for organizations, which will be allowed to open dispensaries.
Paul Armentano, deputy director of nonprofit marijuana legalization advocacy group NORML, says that Texas is now considered to have a “traditional” medical marijuana program.
“Even in some of the reddest of red states, there is a growing acceptance of medical cannabis and that some of the most restrictive policies over time evolve in a way where they become far more expansive, they don’t become more restrictive over time,” says Armentano. “They begin as very restrictive, and become less and less restrictive as politicians and others become comfortable with the reality that cannabis is a medicine that can benefit patients and the state can regulate it in a manner that doesn’t jeopardize public safety.”
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