Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis in Texas
Texas expanded the Compassionate Use Program in 2025. This guide separates the conditions named in current law from diagnoses that may qualify only through another category.
By Blair HendersonFact Checked Against Texas DPSUpdated July 30, 2026
The Texas Department of Public Safety publishes the controlling patient-facing eligibility list. A diagnosis on that list makes a person potentially eligible, not automatically approved. The registered physician makes the individual decision.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash. Context photograph. It does not depict a named patient, business, enforcement action, or reviewed product.
ResidencyThe Patient Must Be a Permanent Texas Resident.
Clinical DecisionA Registered Physician Must Find the Potential Benefit Reasonable in Light of the Risk.
No Physical CardThe Physician Enters the Prescription in CURT. Patients Do Not Apply for a State Card.
Approved Condition Categories
As of July 30, 2026, Texas DPS lists these categories for the Compassionate Use Program:1
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS
Autism
Cancer
Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory bowel disease
A condition that causes chronic pain
Epilepsy
An incurable neurodegenerative disease
Multiple sclerosis
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD
A seizure disorder
Spasticity
A terminal illness or a condition receiving hospice or palliative care
Traumatic brain injury
A condition approved under a qualifying research program
Texas Uses a Registry Prescription, Not a Physical Medical Marijuana Card.
Patients do not register themselves with DPS or pay a state registration fee. If approved, the participating physician enters the prescription in CURT, where a licensed dispensing organization can verify it.2
Three Eligibility Details That Are Easy to Misstate
Chronic Pain Has a Legal Definition
HB 46 defines chronic pain using cause, severity, duration beyond 90 days, prior non-chronic pain treatment, and whether THC is a viable treatment. The final enrolled law does not say that a patient must use opioids first.3
Peripheral Neuropathy Is Not One Blanket Listing
Some specifically named hereditary or pediatric-onset peripheral neuropathies appear within the state’s rule for incurable neurodegenerative diseases. Other neuropathic pain may be evaluated through the chronic-pain category. A generic online list should not promise that every peripheral neuropathy diagnosis qualifies automatically.4
Cerebral Palsy and Broad “Other Dementia” Wording Need Care
Cerebral palsy is not a stand-alone condition named in the DPS patient list, though a patient may qualify through diagnosed spasticity or another listed condition. Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and certain other neurodegenerative diagnoses appear in the administrative rule, but “any dementia” is too broad.4
What the Physician Must Decide
The physician confirms the diagnosis and determines whether the risk of low-THC cannabis is reasonable in light of the potential benefit. That requires more than checking a condition box. Medications, pregnancy, cardiovascular history, psychosis risk, substance-use history, age, driving, work, falls, and the treatment goal can all matter.
Medical and Legal Disclaimer: This article provides educational information, not diagnosis, treatment, or legal advice. Program rules and evidence can change. Confirm eligibility with a registered physician and current Texas DPS sources.
Clear answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What Conditions Qualify for Medical Cannabis in Texas?
Texas lists ALS, autism, cancer, Crohn’s disease or other IBD, a condition causing chronic pain, epilepsy, an incurable neurodegenerative disease, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, a seizure disorder, spasticity, terminal illness or hospice or palliative care, traumatic brain injury, and approved research-program conditions.
Does Texas Issue a Physical Medical Marijuana Card?
No. A registered physician enters an approved prescription in CURT. Patients do not apply for or receive a physical state card.
Does a Qualifying Diagnosis Guarantee Approval?
No. The physician must determine that the potential benefit is reasonable in light of the risk for the individual patient.
Must a Chronic Pain Patient Try Opioids First?
No. The final enrolled version of HB 46 does not include a prior-opioid requirement.