Texas Medical Marijuana Caregiver Requirements 2026
Texas operates under the Compassionate Use Program (CUP), which is significantly more restrictive than most state medical marijuana programs. The program only allows low-THC cannabis products (1% THC or less), and caregivers must understand these unique limitations.
Quick Facts: Texas Caregiver Program
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | FREE ($0) |
| Card Validity | 1 year |
| Max Patients | 1 |
| Processing Time | Up to 14 days |
| Home Cultivation | Not permitted |
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Residency | Texas resident required |
| THC Limit | 1% or less (low-THC only) |
Understanding Texas Compassionate Use Program
Texas does NOT have a traditional medical marijuana program. Key differences:
- Low-THC Only: Products must contain 1% THC or less
- Prescription System: Uses prescriptions, not recommendations
- Limited Conditions: Only specific qualifying conditions eligible
- No Physical Card: Registration is electronic through CURT registry
Who Can Become a Medical Cannabis Caregiver in Texas?
Age & Residency:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a Texas resident
- Must possess valid Texas identification
Background Check Requirements:
- State criminal background check required
- Disqualifying offenses include:
- Felony drug convictions (lifetime lookback)
- Violent crime convictions
- No fingerprinting required
Additional Requirements:
- Must be designated by a qualifying patient through CURT
- Cannot be a registered patient yourself
- One caregiver per patient only
How to Register as a Texas Caregiver: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Patient Prescription The patient must first receive a prescription from a CURT-registered physician for a qualifying condition.
Step 2: Patient Designation The prescribing physician enters both the patient and caregiver information into the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT).
Step 3: Background Check The Texas Department of Public Safety conducts a criminal background check on the designated caregiver.
Step 4: Approval Once approved, the caregiver is authorized to obtain low-THC cannabis from a licensed dispensing organization.
Step 5: Access Medicine Caregivers can then purchase products from licensed dispensaries on behalf of their patient.
Required Documents for Texas Caregiver Registration
- Valid Texas driver's license or state-issued ID
- Proof of Texas residency
- Patient's CURT prescription designation
- Background check authorization
- No payment required
Texas Caregiver Rights and Responsibilities
What Caregivers CAN Do:
- Purchase low-THC cannabis from licensed dispensing organizations
- Possess a 30-day prescription supply
- Transport products between dispensary and patient
- Administer low-THC products to the patient
What Caregivers CANNOT Do:
- Grow any cannabis plants
- Possess high-THC cannabis products
- Assist more than one patient
- Consume any of the patient's medicine
- Transfer products to anyone
Possession Limits for Texas Caregivers
Texas has unique limitations:
- Supply Limit: 30-day prescription amount
- THC Limit: Products must contain 1% THC or less
- Product Forms: Limited to approved low-THC formulations
- Tracking: All prescriptions tracked through CURT
Costs and Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Caregiver Registration | FREE |
| Annual Renewal | FREE |
Note: While caregiver registration is free, patients pay physician fees for evaluations and prescriptions.
Qualifying Conditions in Texas
Texas has a limited list of qualifying conditions:
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spasticity
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Autism
- Terminal cancer
- Incurable neurodegenerative diseases
- PTSD (for veterans)
- All forms of cancer
Frequently Asked Questions
What products can Texas caregivers obtain? Only low-THC cannabis products containing 1% THC or less. This includes oils, tinctures, and other approved formulations from licensed dispensing organizations.
Can Texas caregivers grow marijuana? No. Home cultivation is strictly prohibited in Texas. All products must be obtained from licensed dispensing organizations.
Is there a physical caregiver card in Texas? No. Texas uses an electronic registry (CURT) rather than physical ID cards. Dispensaries verify caregiver status through the system.
How many patients can a Texas caregiver assist? Texas limits caregivers to one patient only.
Can a Texas caregiver also be a patient? No. You cannot be registered as both a patient and caregiver in Texas.
Is Texas medical marijuana the same as other states? No. Texas only allows low-THC products (1% THC or less), which is significantly more restrictive than most medical marijuana programs.
Licensed Dispensing Organizations in Texas
Texas has a limited number of licensed dispensing organizations serving the entire state. Products are available at approved locations and through some delivery services.
Official Resources
- Texas Department of Public Safety - Compassionate Use
- CURT Registry Information
- Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 487
Get Your Texas Medical Marijuana Prescription
MMJ.com connects Texas patients with CURT-registered physicians who can evaluate qualifying conditions and prescribe low-THC cannabis products.