Texas Bill Would Require Statewide Public Education Campaign on Medical Cannabis Program

House Bill 3729, introduced earlier this month by Representative Ron Reynolds (D), was officially referred to the House Public Health Committee today.

If passed into law, the bill would direct the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to implement a statewide information campaign about the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP), which provides access to low-THC cannabis for patients with certain qualifying conditions. Despite TCUP’s existence, many Texans remain unaware of the program or face challenges in understanding how to qualify. HB 3729 would address this issue by establishing a public education campaign that would use various outreach methods and resources for the public and healthcare providers. The campaign would be designed to inform eligible patients, caregivers, and medical professionals about the program’s requirements and enrollment process.

According to the bill, the campaign must:

(1)  provide accurate, evidence-based information on eligibility, enrollment, and access to the program;

(2)  target eligible patients, caregivers, health care professionals, and the general public;

(3)  use multiple media platforms, including:

(A)  a dedicated Internet website and online resources;

(B)  social media campaigns;

(C)  television and radio advertisements;

(D)  print materials and billboards; and

(E)  educational materials for health care providers; and

(4)  partner with medical associations, patient advocacy groups, and local health departments to enhance outreach efforts.

The measure states that the department, “in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, shall analyze key performance indicators to measure the campaign’s success and shall annually submit a report to the legislature assessing the effectiveness of the campaign and suggesting necessary adjustments to improve the campaign.”

The measure requires the campaign to be implemented by January 1, 2026.