Text Us (512) 601-5926
Request Appointment

Qualifying Conditions

The HB 1535: New Texas bill recently expanded the list of those applicable to receive medical marijuana prescriptions. The expansion now includes all forms of cancer and everyone suffering from PTSD, not just veterans. Patients’ THC cap has also been increased to 1% to help improve the quality of life for those who may require higher doses.

THC is a psychoactive anti-inflammatory pain killer similar to the brain-producing chemical, anandamide, that stimulates senses of happiness and well-being. Due to the similarity in structure, THC is able to attach to receptors on the brain and signal dopamine to be released at higher levels, relieving pain and regulating the central nervous system.

If you have been diagnosed with a qualifying condition or would like to see if your medical condition qualifies, request an appointment to consult with a physician about your treatment options.

Medical Marijuana for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system disease that can be unpredictable and debilitating. MS is thought to be an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks itself, sometimes causing permanent damage. It destroys the myelin tissues of the brain and spinal cord, increasing nerve impulses and damaging nerve cells.

MS is unique to each individual and often reveals itself in symptoms such as:

  • Tremors
  • Slurred speech
  • Muscle stiffness or weakness
  • Partial or complete vision loss
  • Abnormal feelings of shooting pain or numbness

Medical Marijuana for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition, typically developing in those over the age of 60 and gradually getting worse over time. While the cause of Parkinson’s is unknown, it occurs when the brain’s nerve in charge of producing dopamine are damaged or destroyed. Dopamine is a chemical aiding in movement, causing the affected individual to have a reduction in mobility and an increase of stiffness and pain.

Many cases of Parkinson’s often begin with a small tremor or limited range of motion, but also include other motor symptoms like:

  • Impaired balance
  • Rigid limbs
  • Slow movement
  • Slurred speech
  • Urinary complications

Medical Marijuana for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that develops in those who have experienced or been witness to a traumatizing event. Those with PTSD can continue reliving that event for the rest of their lives through unwarranted flashbacks or disturbing nightmares triggered by people or situations that remind them of that moment.

In the weeks, months, or years following an event of this caliber, it can be challenging to return to a life that even remotely resembles normalcy. Things that were once easy to do may now include hurdles as one navigates through symptoms of PTSD, including:

  • Avoidance
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Feeling on edge and irritable
  • Memory gaps of the event
  • Self-destructive behavior

Other Qualifying Medical Conditions for the Use of Medical Cannabis

Are you a qualifying patient? This list includes other conditions approved for medical marijuana prescriptions in the state of Texas.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that causes involuntary muscle movements. This condition gets worse over time as motor neurons die, resulting in muscle weakness, trouble speaking, and difficulty walking.

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder with characteristic behavioral patterns, as well as social and communication challenges. People with autism do not look different but have different capacities for thinking, problem solving, and reacting to certain stimuli.

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal bodily cells grow at an uncontrollable rate instead of old or abnormal cells dying off as they should. When the process of making new cells goes wrong, damaged cells multiply, sometimes causing lumps of tissue called tumors that can affect how the body functions.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a form of arthritis that develops when the discs between vertebrae wear down over time. These discs, which allow for smooth bending and twisting of the spine, begin deteriorating due to factors such as aging, injuries, and disease. DDD typically affects adults over the age of 40 and causes limited range of motion, as well as lower back and neck pain.

Dementia is a general term relating to the impairment of cognitive thinking and memory. It is an abnormal part of the aging process, more common in those over the age of 85. Dementia ranges in severity from mild memory loss to a complete inability to perform regular tasks without assistance.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder disrupting the normal patterns of brain activity, triggering seizures and sometimes loss of consciousness. Seizures don’t look the same in everyone, ranging from a blank stare into space, to uncontrollable muscle spasms and convulsions.

Nerve damage is any kind of injury to nerve fibers in the body, whether they are sensory, motor, or autonomic nerves. There are many types of nerve damage, measured by the scope of the injury and the connective tissue surrounding it.

Neurodegenerative diseases are an umbrella term for conditions occurring when the brain’s nerve cells lose function or die over time. These diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, affect things like movement, speech, and heart function.

Medical Marijuana Doctors in Texas

If you have been diagnosed or think you may be suffering from one of these conditions, let us help you regain control of your pain, and your life. A consultation with TX Cann MD will allow us to evaluate you, see if you qualify, and get you a prescription on the same day upon approval.

For more information, text TX Cann MD at (512) 601-5926 to request an appointment.