The Texas House of Representatives could be expanding its marijuana program for those who suffer from chronic conditions.
The lower chamber passed H.B. 1535 on Thursday 134-12. Texas’s medical cannabis program is intended for patients diagnosed with terminal cancer, intractable epilepsy, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, or an incurable neurodegenerative disease.
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If the bill gets passed into law, it will allow those who suffer from chronic pain, cancer, or post-traumatic stress disorder to use it as well, according to the Texas Tribune.
“In both in medical research and in my own clinical experience, cannabinoid therapy has been shown to improve symptoms related to this condition … in a way that no other substance has done before, and it has also been scientifically proven to have a profound impact on seizure disorders, pain, anxiety, and PTSD. However, the current law allows me to only prescribe to terminal patients with cancer,” Dr. Mary Caire of Dallas testified.
Caire continued: “Cancer, pain, and symptoms are not exclusive to people who die of this disease, and in my clinical experience, medical cannabis is more effective at relieving these symptoms than other pharmaceutical drugs.”
A day earlier, the Legislature passed H.B. 2593, which would reduce penalties for possession of some marijuana concentrate. If passed, it would lessen the penalty for possession of up to 2 ounces to a misdemeanor.
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The Legislature Friday passed H.B. 441, which is designed to reduce penalties for possession of marijuana. The unofficial vote was 88-40 in favor of it. If it passes, the Lone Star State would make it a misdemeanor if found in possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana.
Three states have not yet legalized marijuana use for any purposes, while 16 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized small amounts of recreational marijuana use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
