![\"Workers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Pot00013.jpg\")
Workers at Texas Original, one of two medical marijuana suppliers active in Texas examine harvested flower in the company\u2019s growing facility. Credit: Courtesy Photo \/ Texas Original<\/p>\nWorkers at Texas Original, one of two medical marijuana suppliers active in Texas examine harvested flower in the company\u2019s growing facility. Credit: Courtesy Photo \/ Texas Original<\/p>\n
As many as nine new suppliers may soon be active in the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP), a development experts say is likely to bring more competition, lower prices and easier access to one of the nation\u2019s most feeble medical THC programs.<\/p>\n
The Texas Department of Public Safety, which administers TCUP, named the new providers Monday evening, potentially broadening the state\u2019s number of approved suppliers of medical-grade THC from two to 11. Until now, there had just been three license holders, only two of which actively supply patients. <\/p>\n
The new companies still must pass a final state evaluation before they can begin opening stores and supplying patients with prescriptions, according to DPS officials. The state will review the business\u2019 disciplinary actions, financial records and litigation history\u00a0before granting final approval. <\/p>\n
The expansion of the 10-year-old TCUP was authorized under House Bill 46, which passed the Texas Legislature this summer. The measure called for DPS to approve nine more suppliers by Dec. 1 and provide three more licenses by April. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis expansion is an important step toward broader patient access of medical cannabis across Texas,\u201d Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original, one of the state\u2019s two active suppliers said in an emailed statement. <\/p>\n
In addition to awarding a dozen additional licenses, HB 4 expanded TCUP eligibility to include patients with chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, Crohn\u2019s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and terminal illnesses. It also allows prescriptions for a wider variety of THC products, including vape devices, and lets doctors provide prescriptions for longer prescription times.<\/p>\n
A provision in the bill also allows distributors to store cannabis products overnight at their stores. The previous rules barring overnight storage were considered a major roadblock to the program expanding outside of big cities such as Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith these new licenses, the broader list of qualifying conditions and new treatment options allowed under HB\u202f46, patients gain more choices \u2014\u00a0new formulations, consistent dosing and better delivery methods \u2014 so they get the care they need,\u201d\u00a0Richardson said. \u201cAs fellow Texans, we take seriously our responsibility to support our neighbors and ensure this program grows responsibly for everyone who relies on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looming hemp ban <\/p>\n
Until the passage of HB 46, Texas\u2019 medical cannabis program was largely viewed as the nation\u2019s most paltry, attracting just 116,000 patients \u2014\u00a0many of whom have abandoned the program after first qualifying, according to industry experts. <\/p>\n
Many have complained that TCUP\u2019s lack of suppliers, dosage limitations and high prices made it easier for those who needed to THC for conditions ranging from cancer to PTSD to turn to the state\u2019s booming recreational hemp industry. <\/p>\n
While Texas\u2019 hemp industry has boomed, generating some $8 billion annually<\/a>, the Republican-controlled Congress last month voted to ban<\/a> all consumable hemp items nationwide by November of 2026.<\/p>\n According to DPS officials, Texas\u2019 nine potential new cannabis suppliers are:<\/p>\n \u2022Lone Star Bioscience Inc. in the San Antonio area <\/p>\n \u2022Verano Texas LLC in the El Paso area<\/p>\n \u2022Trulieve TX Inc. in the Texas Panhandle<\/p>\n \u2022Texas Patient Access LLC in North Texas\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022Lonestar Compassionate Care Group LLC in North Texas<\/p>\n \u2022PC TX OPCO LLC\/PharmaCann in the Houston area<\/p>\n \u2022Story of Texas LLC in the Houston area<\/p>\n \u2022Texa OP\/TexaRx in the Rio Grande Valley\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022Dilatso LLC in North Texas<\/p>\n At present, 42 states and the District of Columbia have approved medical cannabis use<\/a>, while 24 have authorized recreational adult-use of the substance. <\/p>\n Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us:\u00a0Apple News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Google News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NewsBreak<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Reddit<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>| Twitter<\/a>\u00a0| Or sign up for our\u00a0RSS Feed<\/a><\/p>\n Related Stories<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tThe issue roiled Texas politics earlier this year when Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a ban on THC products spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Fresh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gigz.webp.webp\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0505-Weed-File-LW-03-1-1.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Many](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Weed001.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n