H.B. No. 46 amends the Texas Compassionate-Use Program to improve the regulation and administration of low-THC cannabis for medical purposes. Key provisions include the requirement for the Department of Public Safety to register all personnel involved in dispensing organizations and the creation of a confidential registry for patient identification. The bill allows dispensing organizations to operate satellite locations for secure storage of low-THC cannabis without needing an additional license, provided they meet certain conditions. It also mandates that these organizations must commence operations within 24 months of receiving their license and maintain continuous dispensing throughout the license term.

Additional amendments clarify the eligibility criteria for applicants wishing to operate as dispensing organizations, ensuring they have the necessary technical and financial capabilities. The bill prohibits municipalities and counties from restricting the cultivation, production, storage, dispensing, or possession of low-THC cannabis as authorized. It updates the definition of low-THC cannabis to a maximum of 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinols per dosage unit and expands the list of qualifying medical conditions to include chronic pain. Furthermore, it introduces regulations for prescriptions, allowing a 90-day supply with up to four refills, and permits physicians to prescribe low-THC cannabis through pulmonary inhalation if medically necessary. The bill sets a timeline for licensing new dispensing organizations and establishes an effective date of September 1, 2025, for the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 487.101, Health and Safety Code 487.103, Health and Safety Code 487.104, Health and Safety Code 487.107, Health and Safety Code 487.201, Occupations Code 169.001, Occupations Code 169.003 (Occupations Code 169, Health and Safety Code 487)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 487.053, Health and Safety Code 487.054, Health and Safety Code 487.101, Health and Safety Code 487.102, Health and Safety Code 487.103, Health and Safety Code 487.104, Health and Safety Code 487.105, Health and Safety Code 487.107, Health and Safety Code 487.151, Health and Safety Code 487.201, Occupations Code 169.001, Occupations Code 169.003 (Occupations Code 169, Health and Safety Code 487)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 487.053, Health and Safety Code 487.054, Health and Safety Code 487.101, Health and Safety Code 487.102, Health and Safety Code 487.103, Health and Safety Code 487.104, Health and Safety Code 487.105, Health and Safety Code 487.151, Health and Safety Code 487.201, Occupations Code 169.001, Occupations Code 169.003 (Occupations Code 169, Health and Safety Code 487)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 487.001, Health and Safety Code 487.053, Health and Safety Code 487.101, Health and Safety Code 487.103, Health and Safety Code 487.104, Health and Safety Code 487.105, Health and Safety Code 487.107, Health and Safety Code 487.151, Health and Safety Code 487.201, Occupations Code 169.001, Occupations Code 169.003 (Occupations Code 169, Health and Safety Code 487)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 487.053, Health and Safety Code 487.054, Health and Safety Code 487.101, Health and Safety Code 487.102, Health and Safety Code 487.103, Health and Safety Code 487.104, Health and Safety Code 487.105, Health and Safety Code 487.107, Health and Safety Code 487.151, Health and Safety Code 487.201, Occupations Code 169.001, Occupations Code 169.003 (Occupations Code 169, Health and Safety Code 487)