Texas dispensary Knox Medical has delivered the state’s first medical cannabis products to a six-year-old suffering from intractable epilepsy, the Texas Tribune reports. The delivery comes more than two years after Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation creating the limited program.
“For Texans suffering from intractable epilepsy, the wait for medical cannabis is finally over. This is a historic day for Texas and we will work tirelessly to uphold the trust and responsibility the state has placed in Knox Medical.” – José Hidalgo, founder and CEO of Knox Medical, to the Tribune
The program only provides access for individuals suffering from intractable epilepsy and only provides for low-THC CBD oil.
Just three dispensaries are authorized to cultivate and distribute medical cannabis in the nation’s second-largest state. To qualify for the program, patients – who must be permanent Texas residents – must have tried two Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs to no avail and get approval from two physicians registered with the state. Fewer than 20 doctors are signed up with the state’s Compassionate Use program. According to the report, about 160,000 Texans – less than 1 percent of the state’s population – are diagnosed with intractable epilepsy.
A second dispensary will reportedly begin selling products on Feb. 8.