Legislative Updates
Low-THC Cannabis Medical Use
Texas qualified physicians may prescribe low-THC cannabis for the treatment of approved medical conditions, under conditions established in Texas laws and regulations. In 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 339, known as the Texas Compassionate-Use Act, authorizing low-THC cannabis to be prescribed to treat patients with intractable epilepsy. Since then, the Texas Legislature has expanded the list of approved conditions for medical treatment. To learn about the legislation and rules, incurable neurodegenerative diseases, and how to report, visit the low-THC cannabis medical use webpage.
Investigational Stem Cell Treatment Consent
Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 1003.054 requires written consent before an eligible patient receives a voluntary investigational stem cell treatment. Effective January 15, 2021, the Department of State Health Services informed consent form (English) (Spanish) must be signed and maintained in the patient's medical record.
Investigational Drug, Biological Product, or Device Consent
Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 490.052 requires an eligible patient to sign an informed consent form before receiving treatment involving an investigational drug, biological product, or device, as defined by THSC Section 490.001. Effective August 19, 2024, the patient and physician must provide a signed, written Department of State Health Services informed consent form (English / Spanish) to a manufacturer of an investigational drug, biological product, or device before the manufacturer may make the investigational drug, biological product, or device available to the patient. A physician may use a different informed consent form if it contains, at a minimum, the same information as the department form. The written informed consent form must be maintained in the medical record of the treating physician in accordance with the applicable records retention requirements.