Q: What is THC? A: THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a substance found in cannabis plant. The most prevalent THC found in cannabis is delta-9 THC. This is the substance commonly thought to produce the “high” from cannabis consumption. Q: What is CBD? A: CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol, which also comes from the cannabis plant. This substance is understood to have therapeutic benefits without the “high” effect presumed to be caused by THC. Q: What is consumable hemp? A: Under Texas law, consumable hemp products are foods, drugs, devices or cosmetics that contain hemp or hemp-derived cannabinoids. Consumable hemp products that do not exceed 0.3% of delta-9 THC are legal to be bought, sold, possessed, and used in Texas. These types of products do not require a prescription. Q: What is marijuana? A: Under Texas law, marijuana is the cannabis plant, seeds and all derivatives but does not include hemp or consumable hemp products, so long as the delta-9 THC level does not exceed 0.3%. Mature cannabis plant stalks, fiber from those stalks, seed oil/cake and their derivatives and sterilized seeds are also not considered marijuana under Texas law. Currently, marijuana is illegal in the State of Texas for recreational consumption. Q: What is medical marijuana (also known as “Low-THC Cannabis)? A: Low-THC Cannabis, under Texas law, is the plant Cannabis sativa L., and any part of that plant or any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, preparation, resin, or oil of that plant that contains no more than 1.0% by weight of THC. Q: What should I know about the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP)? A: The TCUP is administered by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS manages an online registry (Compassionate Use Registry of Texas – CURT) of physicians that are authorized to prescribe low THC and patients that have certain approved medical conditions who have been entered into the registry. Q: Is medical marijuana legal in Texas? A: Yes, a person can be registered in the Texas Compassionate Use Program by a TCUP-registered medical provider as long as the patient qualifies under the qualifying conditions set out under Texas law. Q: Key differences between consumable hemp and medical marijuana. A: THC concentration percentage: cannabis products that have a delta-9 THC level not in excess of 0.3% on a dry weight basis are considered legal hemp, while products with delta-9 THC levels above 0.3% on a dry weight basis are considered illegal, Schedule I marijuana. Prescription requirement: consumable hemp products may be purchased online and at retail stores without any prescription. Medical marijuana requires a patient to be registered in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). Qualifying medical conditions: No qualifying medical conditions are required to purchase consumable hemp products. A patient must be registered in CURT to be able to purchase medical marijuana in Texas. Q: Methods of Consumption - consumable hemp products: A: Oil/tinctures Gummies infused food or drinks infused lotions and cosmetic products (topicals, bath bombs, patches) Flower Vape pens Q: Methods of Consumption - medical marijuana: A: Oil/Tinctures Lozenges Tablets Capsules Gummies Lotion Note – smoking marijuana is not an allowable method of consumption under current Texas Compassionate Use Program laws, and therefore flower is not an available option through any of the licensed dispensing organizations. Q: How do I obtain medical marijuana? A: Individuals must qualify and be entered into the CURT system by a registered physician, including Texas Medical Marijuana Doctors. Once qualified, a patient can contact one of the licensed dispensing organizations to order products and arrange for delivery or pickup of the medical marijuana. Q: Will I be issued a medical marijuana card? A: In Texas, medical marijuana cards are not issued under the Texas Compassionate Use Program. A patient need only bring ID to pick up medication from the licensed dispensing organization. Texas Medical Marijuana Doctors will create a card to identify its patients upon request, but these cards are not State-issued and are simply provided for convenience to our patients so they can easily identify themselves as qualified patients, whether it be to law enforcement, an employer or anyone else. Q: Can children be prescribed medical marijuana in Texas? A: Yes, minors and patients who are incapacitated can be registered in CURT by a qualified physician if eligible. In these instances, a parent/guardian may pick up the low-THC cannabis prescription from the licensed dispensing organization on behalf of the patient. Q: Are there side effects from using medical marijuana? A: Cannabis effects each user differently. Most side effects experienced, if any, are mild in nature. Possible side effects may include, but are not limited to, increased heart rate, dizziness, impaired concentration and memory, slower reaction times, increased appetite, and mild sedation. There may be some negative interactions with other medications so it is important to let your doctor know of all other medications or supplements being taken. Q: How much does it cost for an appointment to see if I’m eligible for medical marijuana? A: Texas Medical Marijuana Doctors will provide the patient with a medical consultation to determine if you qualify for a medical prescription for low-THC cannabis. The initial consultation costs $300* and follow-up appointments cost $150*. We accept payment via [cash, check, and all major credit/debit cards]. Appointments can be in-person or via virtual telemedicine appointments. * Consultations start at these prices but can vary depending on special circumstances. **Please note insurance is not currently accepted to cover these visits. Q: Are approved medical marijuana patients legally allowed to grow marijuana? A: No. Texas does permit home cultivation of marijuana. Only licensed dispensing organizations are permitted to grow cannabis for the sole purpose of producing low-THC cannabis. Q: Can I bring my medical marijuana with me when I travel out of state? A: No. Because marijuana remains an illegal, Schedule I controlled substance under federal drug laws, medical marijuana is only permitted in each state that allows it, and the products are not permitted to cross state lines, including flying on an airplane (even from one legal state to another). Q: Is it legal to smoke medical marijuana if prescribed? A: No. Texas expressly prohibits smoking of prescribed medical marijuana. Q: Where do patients obtain their medical marijuana? A: Once a patient is qualified to receive medical marijuana, patient will obtain its product(s) from a licensed Texas dispensing organization. There are currently three licensed dispensing organizations in Texas. They offer delivery, pick-up, and pop-up locations throughout the state. For details, please visit the websites of any of the three licensed dispensing organizations: goodblend, texasoriginal, and Fluent. Q: What is a dispensing organization? A: It is an organization licensed by the DPS to cultivate, process, and dispense low-THC cannabis to a qualifying patient.