Texas HB 46 — Compassionate Use Program expansion (2025)
Added chronic pain, Crohn's disease, and traumatic brain injury as qualifying conditions to the Texas Compassionate Use Program. Authorized transdermal patches, topical lotions, and vaporization as approved product forms. Signed into law during the 2025 regular session.
- Chamber
- house
- Session
- 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)
- Sponsor
- Ken King (R)
- Introduced
- 2025-02-13
- Last action
- 2025-06-22 — Signed by Governor Greg Abbott; effective September 1, 2025.
HB 46 was the largest single-bill expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program since the program's creation in 2015. The bill cleared both chambers with bipartisan majorities and was signed by Governor Abbott in June 2025.
What changed
- Qualifying conditions added: chronic pain, Crohn's disease, traumatic brain injury
- New product forms authorized: transdermal patches, topical lotions, vaporization
- THC cap: unchanged at 1% by weight (raised from 0.5% in 2021)
What did not change
The Compassionate Use Program remains a low-THC program. Smokable flower is not authorized. The program operates separately from any adult-use framework, which Texas does not have. Possession of more than four ounces outside the program remains a state-jail felony.
For broader narrative coverage of the bill's significance, see the Texas HB 46 analysis.
Sources
- Texas Legislature Online: HB 46 history (89R)accessed May 17, 2026
- Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 487: Compassionate Use Programaccessed May 17, 2026
- NORML: Texas Lawsaccessed May 17, 2026