The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has selected nine businesses to move forward in Phase I of the state’s Compassionate Use Program expansion, marking the first step in issuing 12 new medical cannabis licenses authorized under House Bill 46.
The Phase I selections do not grant permission to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, or sell cannabis. Each business must first undergo additional due-diligence screenings, including reviews of financial suitability, disciplinary history, litigation records, and other state requirements.
Companies Advancing to Phase I
According to DPS, the following organizations have been conditionally awarded licenses pending further review:
- Verano Texas, LLC — Region 10
- Trulieve TX, Inc. — Region 1
- Texas Patient Access, LLC — Region 3
- Lonestar Compassionate Care Group, LLC — Region 3
- Lone Star Bioscience, Inc. — Region 8
- PC TX OPCO LLC dba PharmaCann — Region 6
- Texa OP, dba TexaRx — Region 11
- Story of Texas, LLC — Region 6
- Dilatso, LLC — Region 2
The distribution across public health regions is intended to expand patient access statewide.
Next Steps
DPS will request additional information from each applicant and will not invoice license fees until every conditional license holder successfully completes the state’s evaluations. The agency emphasized that conditional selection does not guarantee final approval.
Three additional conditional licenses will be issued by April 1, 2026, completing the 12-license expansion authorized by HB 46.
About TCUP
Established in 2015 under Senate Bill 339, the Texas Compassionate Use Program allows qualified physicians to prescribe low-THC cannabis to eligible patients. DPS manages the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas and conducts regular inspections of licensed dispensing organizations.