What conditions qualify for medical marijuana in Texas?

Texas TCUP covers 14+ conditions: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, ALS, autism, incurable neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, PTSD, chronic pain (90+ days), Crohn's disease, traumatic brain injury, degenerative disc disease, terminal illness, and hospice patients. Chronic pain was added by HB 46 in 2025.

Does chronic pain qualify for medical cannabis in Texas?

Yes, as of June 2025. HB 46 added chronic pain defined as continuous or intermittent severe pain lasting 90 or more days. This is the broadest qualifying condition and is expected to significantly increase enrollment.

Can I get medical marijuana for anxiety in Texas?

Anxiety alone does not qualify for TCUP. However, if you have PTSD with anxiety symptoms, you may qualify under the PTSD category. Texas does not have a broad physician-discretion category like some other states. Each condition must be specifically listed in Tex. Occ. Code Section 169.003.

TCUP Qualifying Conditions — 14+ Conditions

Medical Disclaimer: This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice. Cannabis affects everyone differently. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using cannabis, especially if you take other medications.

Last verified: April 2026

Complete Qualifying Conditions

The following conditions are authorized under Tex. Occ. Code §169.003 as amended through HB 46 (2025):

Condition	Added By	Year
Epilepsy & seizure disorders	SB 339 / HB 3703	2015 / 2019
Multiple sclerosis	HB 3703	2019
Spasticity	HB 3703	2019
ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)	HB 3703	2019
Autism	HB 3703	2019
Incurable neurodegenerative diseases	HB 3703	2019
Cancer (all forms)	HB 1535	2021
PTSD	HB 1535	2021
Chronic pain (90+ days)	HB 46	2025
Crohn’s disease / IBD	HB 46	2025
Traumatic brain injury	HB 46	2025
Degenerative disc disease	HB 46	2025
Terminal illness	HB 46	2025
Hospice / palliative care	HB 46	2025

How the List Grew: Bill by Bill

SB 339 (2015) — Epilepsy Only

The original Texas Compassionate Use Act authorized low-THC cannabis exclusively for patients with intractable epilepsy — seizure disorders that had not responded to at least two conventional treatments. Two board-certified neurologists had to independently concur. The program was designed to be as narrow as politically possible in a conservative legislature.

HB 3703 (2019) — Neurological Conditions

Rep. Stephanie Klick's expansion added six condition categories:

Multiple sclerosis
Spasticity (from any cause)
ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
Autism
Incurable neurodegenerative diseases (defined by DSHS rule)
Expanded epilepsy to all seizure disorders

The two-neurologist concurrence requirement was dropped, allowing a single physician to prescribe.

HB 1535 (2021) — Cancer & PTSD

Added all forms of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These two conditions drove the most dramatic enrollment surge in TCUP history — from roughly 6,000 patients to over 77,000 by early 2024. PTSD alone accounts for a significant share of current patients.

HB 46 (2025) — The Chronic Pain Expansion

Rep. Ken King's landmark bill added six new condition categories:

Chronic pain — defined as continuous or intermittent severe pain lasting 90 or more days
Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Degenerative disc disease
Terminal illness
Hospice and palliative care patients

Chronic Pain Changes Everything

Chronic pain is the most commonly reported medical condition in Texas, affecting millions of residents. Its addition as a qualifying condition could double or triple TCUP enrollment over the next two years. It is the single reason MPP now classifies Texas as having a "comprehensive" medical program.

Neurodegenerative Diseases: The DSHS Definition

The "incurable neurodegenerative diseases" category added in 2019 is defined by DSHS rule at 25 Tex. Admin. Code §1.61. The rule includes but is not limited to:

Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Huntington's disease
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Frontotemporal degeneration
Progressive supranuclear palsy
Corticobasal degeneration
Motor neuron diseases (beyond ALS)

The list is non-exhaustive — physicians may prescribe for other neurodegenerative conditions that meet the statutory definition of "incurable."

What Does NOT Qualify

Despite the 2025 expansion, several conditions that qualify in other states' programs remain excluded from TCUP:

Anxiety disorders (unless secondary to PTSD or another qualifying condition)
Depression
Insomnia (unless caused by chronic pain or PTSD)
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Migraines (may qualify under chronic pain if the 90-day threshold is met)

Texas does not have a broad "physician discretion" or "comparable conditions" category like Florida or Oklahoma. Each qualifying condition must be specifically enumerated in statute.

How to Get Started

If you have a qualifying condition, the next step is finding a CURT-registered physician who can evaluate you and enter a prescription into the state registry. See our step-by-step enrollment guide for the complete process.