Could These Nine Dispensaries Change Texas’ Strict Marijuana Laws?

Texas is taking the first step in expanding its medical cannabis program, conditionally selecting nine businesses to potentially operate as dispensaries under the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP). 

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed the selections Tuesday, noting that final licenses will depend on further evaluations.

“The announcement of these nine businesses today does not guarantee that these businesses will be issued final TCUP licenses to operate as dispensing organizations,” DPS announced.

According to Fox 4, applicants must complete additional checks, including financial reviews, litigation history, and compliance records, before they can begin cultivating, distributing, or selling low-THC cannabis.

Regional Distribution of Selected Businesses:

• Texas Panhandle (Region 1): Trulieve TX, Inc
• North Texas (Regions 2/3): Texas Patient Access, LLC; Lonestar Compassionate Care Group, LLC; Dilatso, LLC
• Southeast Texas/Houston (Regions 5/6): PC TX OPCO LLC dba PharmaCann; Story of Texas, LLC
• South Central Texas/San Antonio (Region 8): Lone Star Bioscience, Inc
• West Texas/El Paso (Regions 9/10): Verano Texas, LLC
• South Texas/Harlingen (Region 11): Texa OP dba TexaRx
• East Texas/Tyler & Central Texas/Temple (Regions 4, 7): No selections announced in Phase I

Program Background

The Texas Compassionate Use Program, created in 2015, allows physicians to prescribe low-THC cannabis to patients with certain medical conditions and maintains the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). 

House Bill 46, passed in 2025, expands the list of qualifying conditions to include chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, traumatic brain injury, terminal illnesses, and hospice care, along with previously approved conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, and ALS.

The program continues to grow, as CURT data show patient enrollment rising from 105,493 in January 2025 to 127,206 by September, reflecting steady demand for low-THC prescriptions across the state.