Austin, Texas, December 2, 2025
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced the expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) by identifying nine new businesses for evaluation. These organizations have been conditionally awarded licenses, pending due diligence reviews including financial suitability and other assessments. Ultimately, the approval allows qualified physicians to prescribe low THC cannabis to patients with specific medical conditions. The process includes a phased license issuance, ensuring compliance before final authority is granted.
Austin, Texas – Texas DPS Announces Nine Businesses for Compassionate Use Program Expansion
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has initiated Phase I of the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) expansion, identifying nine new businesses to proceed with additional evaluations. These organizations have been conditionally awarded TCUP licenses, pending further due diligence assessments, including reviews of disciplinary actions, financial suitability, litigation history, and other pertinent information. The nine businesses are:
- Verano Texas, LLC – Public Health Region 10
- Trulieve TX, Inc – Public Health Region 1
- Texas Patient Access, LLC – Public Health Region 3
- Lonestar Compassionate Care Group, LLC – Public Health Region 3
- Lone Star Bioscience, Inc – Public Health Region 8
- PC TX OPCO LLC dba PharmaCann – Public Health Region 6
- Texa OP, dba TexaRx – Public Health Region 11
- Story of Texas, LLC – Public Health Region 6
- Dilatso, LLC – Public Health Region 2
Conditional licenses do not grant permission to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, or sell cannabis products until final approval by the department. Each conditional licensee is expected to fully comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the medicinal license issued under TCUP. DPS will request additional information from these businesses and will not invoice any dispensing organization license fees until the additional due diligence evaluations are completed and passed. The announcement of these nine businesses does not guarantee that they will be issued final TCUP licenses to operate as dispensing organizations.
As outlined in House Bill 46, DPS will issue a total of 12 new licenses over a two-phased selection period. These nine conditional licensees in Phase I, and three conditional licensees in Phase II by April 1, 2026. More information about the application and selection process is available on the DPS website.
About TCUP
Passed and signed into law in 2015, Senate Bill 339 charged DPS with creating and administering TCUP in Texas, under the authority of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 487. Through the program, DPS operates the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT)—a secure online registry of qualified physicians who can prescribe low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to patients with specific medical conditions.
Additionally, TCUP dispensing organizations are licensed by DPS and undergo regular physical inspections to ensure their compliance with state statute and administrative rules. HB 46, signed into law earlier this year, expanded TCUP—authorizing the department to issue 12 new TCUP dispensing organization licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP)?
TCUP is a program administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety that allows qualified physicians to prescribe low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis to patients with specific medical conditions.
What does a conditional license mean for these nine businesses?
A conditional license means these businesses have been selected to proceed with additional evaluations. They are not yet authorized to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, or sell cannabis products until final approval by the department.
How many new licenses will be issued under House Bill 46?
Under House Bill 46, the Texas Department of Public Safety will issue a total of 12 new TCUP dispensing organization licenses over a two-phased selection period. Nine licenses will be issued in Phase I, and three more in Phase II by April 1, 2026.
What is the purpose of the due diligence evaluations?
The due diligence evaluations assess various factors, including disciplinary actions, financial suitability, litigation history, and other pertinent information, to ensure that the businesses meet all statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the medicinal license issued under TCUP.
Where can I find more information about the application and selection process?
More information about the application and selection process is available on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website.
Key Features of the Texas Compassionate Use Program Expansion
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of New Licenses | 12 new TCUP dispensing organization licenses will be issued over two phases. |
| Phase I | 9 conditional licenses announced, subject to additional due diligence evaluations. |
| Phase II | 3 additional conditional licenses to be announced by April 1, 2026. |
| Due Diligence Evaluations | Assessments include reviews of disciplinary actions, financial suitability, litigation history, and other pertinent information. |
| Final Approval | Conditional licenses do not grant permission to operate until final approval by the department. |
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