Texas House Bill 1805 rallies support from physicians and Texas patients

The opioid epidemic in the United States has claimed thousands of lives – over 16,000 deaths are attributed to opioid overdoses in 2021 alone – and has devastated countless families. This crisis has been particularly severe in Texas, with rates of opioid abuse and overdose deaths on the rise.

Fortunately, there is a growing movement to find alternatives to opioids for pain management, and medical marijuana is emerging as a safer and more responsible solution. Recently introduced Texas House Bill 1805 seeks to expand access to medical marijuana for chronic pain management, and it has garnered strong support from Texas physicians and patients.

The bill would help curb the rise of opioid abuse by allowing medical marijuana to be prescribed for chronic pain and limiting the amount of THC by milligram dose instead of by percent of weight. This would help patients establish a more precise and consistent dosing regimen, which is particularly important for those seeking to manage their pain without feeling "high" or experiencing other psychoactive effects of THC.

Dr. Charles Harris witnessed a profound transformation in the lives of his patients when he began prescribing medical marijuana. Cannabis proved to be a godsend for those grappling with chronic pain, providing relief and enabling restful sleep. Dr. Harris felt honored to be a part of their healing journey and was immensely rewarded by the joy and relief he saw in his patients.

Many patients agree. "I've been living with chronic pain for years, and opioids just aren't an option for me anymore," said one patient who supports the bill. "I’d welcome medical marijuana as another option, and I'm so grateful that lawmakers are considering this as a viable treatment option."

A growing body of evidence supports using medical marijuana for chronic pain management. A study published in the Journal of Pain found that marijuana effectively reduced pain. Another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that states with medical marijuana laws had lower rates of opioid overdose deaths than those without medical marijuana laws.

However, there are still tight restrictions limiting the use of medical marijuana in many states, including Texas. This is why HB 1805 is so important. If passed, it could expand access to medical marijuana and provide safer relief for chronic pain sufferers.

The bill has already passed the House with supermajority support and is currently being reviewed by the Senate. "I just hope lawmakers understand the rare opportunity they have to help patients like me whose lives have been changed by this program," said one patient. "Medical cannabis has relieved so much of the nausea I used to get from chemotherapy. HB 1805 would expand eligibility so others with chronic pain can feel the same relief."

Texans, it's time to take action! The opioid epidemic has claimed too many lives, and it's time to find safer and more responsible alternatives for pain management. House Bill 1805 seeks to expand access to medical marijuana for chronic pain management and limit the use of opioids. This bill has already passed the House with supermajority support and is currently being reviewed by the Senate, so call your state senator and urge them to support this bill. Let's work together to provide safer relief for chronic pain sufferers and help curb the rise of opioid abuse.