Texas Cannabis Laws

Legal — Medical Only

Texas has an extremely limited medical cannabis program called the Compassionate Use Program (CUP), which allows low-THC cannabis (up to 1% THC) for patients with specific qualifying conditions. The program was established in 2015 and expanded in 2019 and 2021. Recreational cannabis is illegal.

Last updated: January 15, 2026

Quick Facts

Minimum Age	18+ (medical only)
Purchase Limits (Rec)	N/A — Not legal
Purchase Limits (Med)	As prescribed by a registered physician; products limited to 1% THC
Delivery Allowed	Yes
Home Growing	Fully illegal.
Public Consumption	Prohibited. Low-THC products must be consumed privately.
ID Requirements	Entry in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT), Government-issued photo ID
Tourist Rules	Only Texas residents registered in the Compassionate Use Registry can purchase. No access for tourists.
Penalties	Possession of 2 oz or less is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days, $2,000 fine). 2-4 oz is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year, $4,000 fine). Over 4 oz is a felony.
Tax Info	Low-THC cannabis: standard state sales tax (6.25%) plus local taxes.

Medical Cannabis Program

Qualifying Conditions

Epilepsy, seizure disorders, MS, spasticity, ALS, autism, terminal cancer, PTSD, and all forms of cancer (added in 2021).

How to Get a Card

Patients must be registered in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) by a qualified physician. No separate card is issued — the physician's registration in the system serves as authorization.

Cannabis in Texas: Very Restricted

Texas has one of the most restrictive cannabis programs in the country. The Compassionate Use Program (CUP) only allows products with up to 1% THC — far below the levels found in typical medical or recreational products in other states. The program was initially limited to intractable epilepsy but has been gradually expanded.

There are currently only 3 licensed dispensaries in the state (covering all of Texas's 30 million people), operated by vertically integrated companies. The restrictive nature of the program means most qualifying patients have very limited access compared to other medical states.

Legalization Outlook

Despite being the second-largest state by population, Texas has been slow to embrace cannabis reform. Polling shows majority support for medical (and even recreational) cannabis among Texas voters, but the state legislature has been resistant to significant expansion. Hemp-derived products with low THC levels have become increasingly popular in Texas as an alternative.

Next steps: compare dispensaries in Texas, how to find a licensed dispensary, what to bring to a dispensary, and browse all state cannabis pages.

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Official License Lookup

Verify a dispensary's license on the official Texas website:

Visit Texas Cannabis Regulator