Demystifying The “Low THC” Medical Cannabis Programs

As of April 2025, 39 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia have some form of medical cannabis program. Each program is unique, and some states only offer low-THC medical cannabis for those who qualify.

But what does “low-THC cannabis” really mean? And what products can patients in these states actually purchase?  We’re here to clear the smoke and demystify the low-THC medical cannabis programs in both Georgia and Texas. 

What Does Low THC Mean?

A low THC cannabis program allows qualified patients to access cannabis products with limited tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. The goal of these programs is to provide the medical benefits of marijuana products without the intoxicating effects associated with THC. 

In Georgia and Texas, the definition of low THC differs. However, both programs allow qualifying patients to purchase products that meet specific qualifications and potencies. Though these programs are more restrictive than most states’ medical marijuana programs, patients can access a variety of products, some of which are more potent than one might think.

In both states, the amount of THC in each product is measured by weight. For example, cannabis products in Georgia can contain no more than 5 percent THC by weight. No, that doesn’t mean that cannabis products in Georgia only have 5% THC, like you’d see on a label in the dispensary. Rather, this “by weight” measurement impacts the processing of cannabis products. 

Take these Fine Fettle Soft Drops, for example. The package as a whole contains 200mg of THC total. However, because the potency is measured by weight in the processing stage, each Soft Drop in the 20-pack contains 10mg THC, which is comparable to some lower-dose edibles in other states. 

As such, patients in Georgia and Texas can often access ingestible products and tinctures with similar dosages and can adjust their medical cannabis routines accordingly. 

Georgia’s Low-THC Medical Cannabis Program

Georgia’s Low THC registry allows certified patients to possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low THC oil. All cannabis products in Georgia must contain no more than 5% THC by weight. 

Smoking or vaping of cannabis is currently not allowed under Georgia law. As such, available products include tinctures, capsules, and topicals. 

READ: Meet the Duo Leading Georgia’s Fight for Medical Cannabis Access

Before accessing medical cannabis products, Georgia residents must meet with a doctor who is certified to assess their eligibility for a Georgia medical marijuana card. and have one or more of the following conditions for medical cannabis access. Currently, Georgia’s program lists 17 qualifying conditions. 

These conditions include: 

• AIDs, when the syndrome is severe or end-stage
• Alzheimer’s disease, when such disease is severe or end-stage
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, when such a diagnosis is severe or end-stage
• Autism spectrum disorder, when 
  • (a) The patient is 18 years of age or older, or 
  • (b) patient is less than 18 years of age and has been diagnosed with severe autism
• Cancer, when such diagnosis is end stage, or the treatment produces related wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting
• Crohn’s disease
• Epidermolysis bullosa
• Intractable pain
• Mitochondrial disease
• Multiple sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage
• Parkinson’s disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage
• The patient is in a hospice program, either as an inpatient or outpatient
• Peripheral neuropathy, when symptoms are severe or end-stage
• Post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing a trauma for a patient who is at least 18 years of age
• Seizure disorders related to the diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries
• Sickle cell disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage
• Tourette’s syndrome, when such syndrome is diagnosed as severe

Along with having one or more of the qualifying conditions, a patient must be able to prove they are a Georgia resident with a valid driver’s license or state identification card. Georgia charges $25 for annual registration, which is a separate fee from your approval/recommendation from a licensed doctor.

Texas’s Low-THC Medical Cannabis Program

Similar to Georgia, Texas allows cannabis products that do not exceed a certain THC potency. Cannabis products in Texas may not contain more than 1% THC by weight.

Additionally, the Compassionate Use Program in Texas only allows for oral ingestion of low-THC products. While capsules and tinctures are available, smoking or vaping cannabis is illegal, even under the low-THC program. In some cases, Texas does allow smokable hemp products that contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC. 

Through the Compassionate Use Program (CUP), the state’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) operates an online registry of qualified physicians who can prescribe low THC to patients with specific medical conditions. The registry is designed to prevent more than one doctor from registering the same patient. The doctor can input safety and efficacy data regarding the patient’s treatment into this registry for best practices..The registry is also accessible to law enforcement agencies. 

DPS also manages the licensing of businesses that dispense low-THC cannabis to patients. By law, CUP is limited to Texas residents who have one or more of the following conditions.

• Epilepsy
• Seizure disorders
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spasticity
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Autism
• Terminal cancer
• An incurable neurodegenerative disease

After the doctor approves a patient for the CUP, the doctor will enter a prescription in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). After that, the patient can pick up the prescription at any approved dispensary. Patients must submit their ID, name, date of birth, and the last five digits of their Social Security number.

To get a Texas medical marijuana card, Veriheal can connect you with a certified practitioner in your area who can answer all your questions and determine whether you’re eligible for their Compassionate Use Program. 

Could These Low-THC Laws Change?

As states continue to experience leadership changes and introduce new ideas for evolving laws, the future could bring significant developments for medical cannabis programs in Georgia and Texas. 

Public opinion is already shifting: a 2023 poll found that roughly 76% of Georgia residents support full medical marijuana legalization. Meanwhile, a February 2025 survey revealed that 62% of Texans favor the legalization of adult-use cannabis for adults 21 and older. These numbers reflect a growing disconnect between public sentiment and existing policy frameworks.

While expanding cannabis access in these states has historically faced political resistance, there are emerging signs of potential change. In Georgia, some lawmakers have shown increased willingness to discuss expanding the state’s low-THC program into a more comprehensive medical marijuana system, though progress has been slow and often met with bureaucratic hurdles. In Texas, a traditionally conservative stronghold, modest expansions of the state’s Compassionate Use Program in recent years indicate that incremental reform is possible, especially as public support continues to rise and as neighboring states adopt more permissive laws. However, significant barriers remain, particularly among leadership figures who have historically opposed broader legalization efforts.

Still, as new officials are elected and advocacy efforts gain traction, pressure may mount on both state governments to better align legislation with the will of their constituents. If current trends continue, both Georgia and Texas could see meaningful expansions to their cannabis programs in the coming years, especially as advocates consistently put pressure on those in power. 

Final Thoughts

Among those who are certified to receive low-THC cannabis in Georgia and Texas, many feel that the low percentage and minimal choices for product selection limit them. Many continue to be curious about the state of cannabis reform under a new presidential administration.

For those with medical status and those without medical status but wish to be a part of it, advocating for the benefits of cannabis on their conditions can be a helpful movement for continuing to show their local government that the plant is beneficial to their lives and overall health as a state citizen.

As political officials continue to change and the mindset on cannabis keeps evolving, there can be pushes for change in both Georgia and Texas to achieve the next level of medical cannabis status to benefit those within the program.