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What conditions qualify for medical marijuana in Texas?

Medical cannabis has been available to Texas residents with epilepsy and seizure disorders since 2015. Since then, emerging studies have demonstrated potential benefits of cannabis for a wide range of medical conditions.

In 2021, the Texas government expanded the list of eligible conditions under the Compassionate Use Program to include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and all forms of cancer.

With the passage of House Bill 46 in 2025, the list has expanded even further. Starting September 1, 2025, Texans may now qualify for medical cannabis treatment for additional conditions such as chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), glaucoma, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease, among others.

Our cannabis-certified clinicians work closely with patients to recommend personalized THC and CBD regimens designed to relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea, decreased appetite, muscle spasticity, anxiety, and depression.

 

New Qualifying Conditions Under HB46

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months and often persists beyond the normal healing time. It can arise from a variety of causes, including injury, surgery, nerve damage, or underlying health conditions. Chronic pain can significantly impact quality of life by limiting mobility, disrupting sleep, and contributing to emotional distress such as anxiety or depression.

Symptoms of chronic pain that medical marijuana may help relieve include:

  • Persistent aches or discomfort

  • Nerve pain

  • Inflammation

  • Muscle soreness

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Reduced physical function

Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Crohn’s Disease and other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and weight loss. These conditions can be debilitating and significantly impact daily life. Medical cannabis may help reduce inflammation and alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms.

Symptoms of Crohn’s and IBD that medical marijuana may help relieve include:

  • Abdominal pain and cramping

  • Diarrhea or constipation

  • Loss of appetite

  • Nausea

  • Inflammation

  • Fatigue

  • Anxiety

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease occurs when the spinal discs wear down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. It may lead to nerve compression and radiating pain in the arms and legs. Medical cannabis may offer relief by reducing inflammation and improving mobility.

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease that medical marijuana may help relieve include:

  • Back or neck pain

  • Sciatica

  • Radiculopathy

  • Inflammation

  • Muscle tightness

  • Nerve-related pain

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Reduced range of motion

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure within the eye. It is a leading cause of irreversible blindness if left untreated. Medical cannabis has been shown to temporarily reduce intraocular pressure, helping to slow the progression of the disease and relieve related symptoms.

Symptoms of glaucoma that medical marijuana may help relieve include:

  • Elevated intraocular pressure

  • Eye pain and pressure

  • Nausea associated with eye strain

  • Headaches

  • Visual disturbances

  • Anxiety due to vision loss

Hospice / Terminal Illness / Palliative Care

Patients receiving hospice or palliative care often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms related to end-of-life illnesses. Medical cannabis can serve as a compassionate option to manage pain and discomfort, improve appetite, and support quality of life during advanced stages of disease.

Symptoms commonly addressed by medical marijuana in hospice or palliative care include:

  • Severe pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Muscle spasms
  • Sleep difficulties

Spinal Neuropathy

Spinal neuropathy involves nerve damage or dysfunction in the spinal cord, often resulting in chronic pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. It can be caused by injury, herniated discs, or degenerative diseases. Medical cannabis may help manage pain and support neurological function.

Symptoms of spinal neuropathy that medical marijuana may help relieve include:

  • Neuropathic pain

  • Sciatica

  • Radiculopathy

  • Tingling or burning sensations

  • Muscle stiffness or weakness

  • Spasms or cramping

  • Inflammation

  • Sleep disturbances

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic Brain Injury occurs when a sudden impact or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function. TBI can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage and may lead to long-term neurological, physical, and emotional challenges. Symptoms often persist for months or years after injury and can affect memory, mood, sleep, and motor control.

Symptoms of TBI that medical marijuana may help relieve include:

  • Chronic headaches
  • Nausea and dizziness
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Muscle spasms
  • Mood instability

Established Qualifying Conditions

Alzheimer's and other Dementias

Alzheimer’s Disease is a degenerative neurologic disease that progressively destroys brain cells over time. The most common symptoms include loss of memory and thinking skills. As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer’s Disease may lose the ability to perform simple tasks like dressing themselves, toileting and bathing.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia that medical marijuana can improve: 

  • Agitation and behavioral changes
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Loss of appetite
  • Memory loss
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Pain
  • Insomnia

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a neurological disease involving the nerve cells that are responsible for muscle movement. ALS usually begins in the hands, feet or limbs, then continues to deteriorate muscle control throughout the body. Patients living with ALS may also experience muscle cramps, twitches, spasms, slurred speech, difficulty walking, tripping and falling, difficulty sleeping due to pain, and cognitive difficulties. These symptoms can also trigger mental difficulties such as anxiety and depression. 

ALS Symptoms that medical marijuana can improve:

  • Anxiety 
  • Depression
  • Decreased mobility
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle cramping 
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Pain

Autism and other Spectrum Disorders

Autism is a spectrum disorder that can impact behavior and some physical abilities. Patients living with Autism can commonly experience difficulty with communication and social interactions, obsessive interests, aggression, repetitive behaviors, sleep disruption.

Autism symptoms medical marijuana can improve:

  • Aggression or disruptive behavior
  • Difficulty with social interaction
  • Difficulty with speech or communication
  • Depression
  • Obsessive or repeated behaviors
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia

Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, which can destroy normal body tissue. On September 1, 2021, Texas approved any of form of cancer as a qualifying diagnosis for the medical marijuana program.

Common cancer symptoms medical marijuana may improve:

  • Pain
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Decreased appetite
  • Insomnia

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of congenital disorders that affect body movement and muscle coordination. Cerebral Palsy also the most common motor disability during childhood. CP may cause symptoms such as lack of balance and coordination, stiff muscles, spasms and tremors, difficulty walking, difficulty eating and swallowing, pain and seizures.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy medical marijuana may improve:

  • Pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Seizures
  • Speech issues

Epilepsy and other Seizure Disorders

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which the brain of those suffering from this condition sends signals throughout the body that result in convulsions or jerking fits. 

Epilepsy symptoms medical marijuana may improve:

  • Frequency of seizures
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Pain

Huntington's Disease

Huntington’s Disease is a progressive brain disorder in which nerve cells in the brain break down over time. Patients living with Huntington’s Disease may experience symptoms such as involuntary jerking or muscle movements, muscle problems, problems with coordination, cognitive issues, confusion, depression and anxiety. 

Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease that medical marijuana may improve:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia 
  • Pain
  • Restlessness

Incurable Neurodegenerative Disorders

 Incurable neurodegenerative disorders are progressive conditions that cause irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system over time. These disorders often lead to declining physical and cognitive function, reduced independence, and a diminished quality of life. While there is no cure, medical marijuana may help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with these conditions.

A full list of incurable neurodegenerative disorders can be found in the Texas Administrative Code.

Symptoms that medical marijuana may help improve include:

  • Chronic pain

  • Muscle stiffness or spasticity

  • Insomnia

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Appetite loss

  • Tremors or involuntary movements

  • Cognitive disturbances (e.g., restlessness, confusion)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common acquired chronic neurological disease affecting young adults. There is no known single cause of MS, but many genetic and environmental factors have been shown to contribute to its development. With Multiple Sclerosis, the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the myelin (fatty material) that protects and insulates nerves. As a result, the electrical messages the brain sends to the rest of the body can be negatively affected. 

MS can result in a range of symptoms that can include weakness, loss of sensation, pain, stiffness, muscle spasms, fatigue, slurred speech, dizziness, anxiety, depression, visual changes, and changes to memory.

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis that may improve with medical marijuana:

  • Muscle spasms
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Pain

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. Parkinson’s may cause a range of symptoms including: tremors (shaking), slowed movements, stiff muscles, involuntary muscle movements, impaired posture, muscle spasms and speech changes. Other commonly associated symptoms can include depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and sleep disruption.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s medical marijuana may improve: 

  • Muscle spasms
  • Rigidity
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Pain 
  • Slow movements

Peripheral Neuropathies

Peripheral Neuropathy occurs when the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are damaged due to traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems or exposure to toxins.

Symptoms associated with Peripheral Neuropathy medical marijuana may improve:

  • Pain
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Inflammation

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating neurological condition that develops after experiencing a shocking, scary or dangerous event. The most common symptoms are flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, avoidance, cognition and mood problems.

As of September 1, 2021, Texas has included PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. Symptoms of PTSD that may improve with medical marijuana are:

  • Flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety

Spasticity

Spasticity is a condition where a person’s muscles stiffen and/or tighten involuntarily, restricting and affecting their ability for normal movement and/or speech. While it is not a disease or illness unto itself, it is a commonly occurring condition that accompanies many prevalent muscular and neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Encephalitis, ALS and Meningitis.

Patients with spasticity may experience some of the following symptoms which may improve with medical marijuana:

  • Muscle spasms
  • Pain
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Depression