Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Texas [2026]

Qualifying for medical marijuana in Texas works differently from most other states. Texas operates the Compassionate Use Program (CUP), managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and does not issue physical medical marijuana cards – patients receive a prescription instead.

To qualify, you must be a permanent resident of Texas, have a condition on the official qualifying conditions list, and obtain a prescription from a CUP-registered physician. There is no minimum age requirement to access medical marijuana in Texas, but patients under 18 must have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian. Out-of-state patients are not eligible for a Texas medical marijuana prescription.

Here is how the qualification process works:

• Schedule a consultation with a CUP-registered physician – this can be done online via video call.
• Attend your appointment and have your qualifying condition evaluated.
• If approved, the physician will enter your prescription directly into the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT).
• Visit any licensed Texas dispensary with your valid ID to collect your medical cannabis products.

Yes, medical marijuana is legal in Texas. The state legalized medical cannabis in 2015 through the Texas Compassionate-Use Act, creating one of the most restrictive but legally accessible medical cannabis programs in the country. No physical card is issued – qualifying patients simply use their valid government-issued ID at a licensed dispensary to fill their physician-entered CURT prescription.

As of 2026, the Texas Compassionate Use Program recognizes the following qualifying conditions:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Autism
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Incurable Neurodegenerative Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Seizure Disorder
• Spasticity
• Terminal Cancer
• Any medical condition approved under a state-sanctioned research program (Subchapter F, Chapter 487 of the Texas Health and Safety Code)

To receive a medical cannabis prescription under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a permanent resident of Texas – out-of-state patients are not eligible.
• There is no minimum age requirement, but patients under 18 require written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The guardian must provide their ID, the patient’s last name, date of birth, and the last five digits of their Social Security number when collecting prescriptions at a dispensary.
• Must have an official qualifying condition as recognized under the Texas Compassionate-Use Act.
• Must obtain a prescription from a CUP-registered physician who will enter the prescription directly into the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT).

There is no state application fee for the Texas Compassionate Use Program, and Texas does not issue a physical medical marijuana card – so there are no card fees either. The only cost patients incur is the physician consultation fee to be evaluated for a prescription. Our consultation service starts as low as $45, which covers your full evaluation with a CUP-registered Texas physician. If approved, the physician enters your prescription into CURT at no additional cost.

Because Texas uses a prescription-based system rather than a card application process, the document requirements are minimal:

• Proof of Texas residency – a Texas driver’s license or state-issued ID is typically sufficient.
• Medical records or documentation confirming your qualifying condition – this helps your CUP-registered physician make an informed treatment decision.

When collecting your prescription at a licensed dispensary, you will need to present:

• A valid government-issued photo ID
• Your name, date of birth, and the last five digits of your Social Security number

Once your CUP-registered physician approves your prescription, the process is immediate and simple:

• Your physician enters your prescription into CURT – the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas – directly from their office. You do not need to submit anything separately.
• Visit any licensed Texas dispensing organization with your government-issued ID.
• Provide your name, date of birth, and the last five digits of your Social Security number at the dispensary counter. The dispensary will verify your prescription through CURT and fill your order.