H.B. No. 1504 aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the possession, use, cultivation, distribution, transportation, and delivery of medical cannabis for qualifying patients in Texas. The bill introduces new definitions such as "cannabis testing facility," "cardholder," and "designated caregiver," while amending existing definitions related to medical cannabis. It provides legal protections for individuals involved in the medical cannabis program, ensuring they are not subject to arrest or penalties for authorized actions, and prohibits the presumption of child abuse based solely on medical cannabis use. The bill also outlines the licensing and regulation of dispensing organizations and cannabis testing facilities, requiring the Department of Public Safety to maintain a compassionate-use registry and establish rules regarding possession limits for cardholders.

Additionally, the bill amends the Health and Safety Code to allow a broader range of medical practitioners to recommend medical cannabis, replacing the previous restriction to only those qualified to prescribe low-THC cannabis. It mandates that practitioners register in a compassionate-use registry and includes provisions for applicants to access medical cannabis before receiving their registry identification card. The bill also sets an annual license fee for dispensing organizations, prohibits local regulations that would restrict cannabis activities, and clarifies that medical cannabis is distinct from low-THC cannabis. Overall, H.B. No. 1504 seeks to enhance access to medical cannabis for patients while ensuring regulatory compliance and protections for all parties involved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 487.001, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 169.001, Health and Safety Code 487.052, Health and Safety Code 487.053, Health and Safety Code 487.054, Health and Safety Code 487.102, Health and Safety Code 487.103, Health and Safety Code 487.104, Health and Safety Code 487.107, Health and Safety Code 487.108, Health and Safety Code 487.151, Health and Safety Code 487.201, Occupations Code 169.001, Occupations Code 169.003, Family Code 161.001, Family Code 262.116, Health and Safety Code 443.202, Health and Safety Code 443.2025, Health and Safety Code 481.062, Health and Safety Code 481.111, Health and Safety Code 169.001, Occupations Code 551.004 (Chapter , Health and Safety Code 169, Occupations Code 551, Health and Safety Code 169, Health and Safety Code 487, Family Code 161, Family Code 262, Occupations Code 169, Health and Safety Code 443, Health and Safety Code 481)