Texas operates one of the most unique medical cannabis programs in the country. Known as the Compassionate Use Program (CUP), it works differently from every other state — and the age rules reflect that uniqueness. Unlike most states that set 18 as the minimum, the minimum age to get a medical marijuana card in Texas is effectively none. Texas has no age restriction in its program.
However, that doesn’t mean children can simply walk into a dispensary. Minor patients under 18 need parental or guardian involvement — and the entire process is managed by a physician who registers patients directly. Let’s break it all down for 2026.
Texas Is Different: No Age Restriction in the Law
The Texas Compassionate Use Act, which created the CUP in 2015, does not include a minimum age requirement. This is intentional — the program was originally designed to help children with intractable epilepsy, so age restrictions would have defeated the purpose.
In 2026, Texas CUP rules state:
- Adults (18+): Can be enrolled in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) by a CUP-registered physician
- Minors (under 18): Can also be enrolled — but their parent or legal guardian must be present during the physician evaluation and must provide consent
- There is no card system. Texas does not issue a physical medical marijuana card. Instead, the physician directly enters the patient’s prescription into the CURT system.
This means that to buy cannabis in Texas, you don’t show a card. You show your government-issued photo ID, and the dispensary pharmacist verifies your status in the CURT system electronically.
How Minor Patients Access Cannabis in Texas
For patients under 18 in Texas, the process works like this:
- A parent or legal guardian must be present at the physician evaluation (in-person or telemedicine).
- The parent/guardian consents to the use of low-THC cannabis.
- If approved, the physician enters the patient’s details — and the parent/guardian’s name and the last five digits of their
- Social Security Number — directly into the CURT system.
- The parent or guardian visits the dispensary to pick up the cannabis. They present their government-issued ID and provide the patient’s last name and date of birth to verify eligibility in the system.
Texas makes no formal provision for “caregivers” in the same sense as other states. The parent or legal guardian is simply the person who facilitates access — they don’t receive a separate registration card.
What Qualifies in Texas? The Low-THC Program
Texas’s Compassionate Use Program is far more restricted than most state medical marijuana programs. Key differences include:
Low-THC only. Texas cannabis products must contain no more than 10mg of THC per serving. This is significantly lower than most states.
No smoking. Smoking cannabis is illegal in Texas, even with a prescription. Products are available only as: capsules, oral films, tinctures, inhalers, nebulizers, oils, patches, topical creams, suppositories, and vapes.
A physician-only entry system. Patients cannot register themselves. Only CUP-registered physicians can enroll patients in the CURT.
As of 2026, qualifying conditions under Texas’s CUP include:
- ALS
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cancer
- Epilepsy and intractable seizures
- Multiple sclerosis
- PTSD
- Spasticity
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Chronic pain (including severe pain lasting more than 90 days — newly expanded in late 2025 via HB 46)
- Crohn’s disease
- Terminal illness
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- No State Fee — But There Are Costs
The Compassionate Use Registry of Texas charges no application fee. Registration is free. Texas also does not charge for the “card” — because there is no card.
However, you will pay for your physician consultation. CUP-registered physicians are specialists in their field (required by law), and consultations are not always cheap. Telemedicine evaluations in Texas typically range from $35 to $175 depending on the provider and specialty involved.
There is also no monthly cannabis limit in Texas specified by law — the physician determines the appropriate prescription amount per patient.
For transparent pricing on what a Texas CUP consultation costs, visit the KIF Doctors pricing page.
Comparing Texas to Other States
It’s worth understanding just how different Texas’s program is compared to what most people envision as a “medical marijuana card” state.
| Feature | Texas CUP | Most Other States |
| Physical card | No | Yes |
| State application fee | $0 | $20–$150 |
| THC limit | Low-THC (10mg/serving) | Full-potency |
| Patient self-registration | No | Yes |
| Minimum age | None (parental consent for minors) | 18 (adult) |
| Home cultivation | Not allowed | Varies |
Texas in 2026: Recent Expansions
Texas lawmakers have made steady progress expanding the CUP. House Bill 1805 (effective September 2025) added chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, and Crohn’s disease to the qualifying condition list. It also removed the previous requirement that chronic pain patients try and fail opioid treatment before becoming eligible.
These expansions open the program to far more Texans than ever before.
The KIF Doctors blog covers ongoing legislative developments and updates on the Texas program as they happen.
Take the First Step With Texas’s Compassionate Use Program
Understanding the minimum age to get a medical marijuana card in Texas — and that there technically isn’t one — sets the stage. What matters most is finding a CUP-registered physician who can evaluate your condition and enter your prescription into the CURT system.
KIF Doctors works with CUP-registered physicians who can evaluate patients via telemedicine. Schedule your appointment today and get entered into the registry from your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to get a medical marijuana card in Texas?
There is no minimum age in the Texas Compassionate Use Program; however, patients under 18 require a parent or legal guardian’s consent and involvement in the physician evaluation.
Does Texas issue medical marijuana cards?
No — Texas does not issue physical cards. Patients are registered in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) by their physician, and dispensaries verify eligibility electronically.
Can minors buy cannabis themselves in Texas?
No — parents or legal guardians must purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries on behalf of minor patients.
Is recreational marijuana legal in Texas?
No — Texas only has the Compassionate Use Program for limited medical access to low-THC cannabis.
What THC level is allowed in Texas cannabis products?
Products are limited to 10mg of THC per serving under the Texas CUP.
Can out-of-state patients access Texas’s program?
No — the Texas CUP is restricted to permanent Texas residents only.
Sources
- Texas Department of Public Safety — Compassionate Use Program
- Texas State Law Library — Compassionate Use Program Guide
