The complete guide to cannabis in Austin

Recreational cannabis use is illegal throughout Texas. However, Austin residents who have certain health conditions may qualify for medical use, which provides legal access to cannabis that’s low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Before you can enjoy the benefits of medical cannabis in Austin, it’s important to learn about local cannabis laws so you can do so legally.

Key takeaways

Before diving into more details about medical cannabis use in Austin, here are the most important things to know:

• Legal age: State-approved medical cannabis users must be 18 or older to make purchases from a dispensary.
• Purchase limits: State-approved medical cannabis users can purchase products containing a maximum of 1% THC.
• Product restrictions: Inhaled products, including vaporizers and smokable flower, are banned in Austin.

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Texas cannabis laws

In Texas, it’s strictly illegal to buy, possess, or consume recreational cannabis. The only way to purchase and consume cannabis legally is by being approved for state-issued medical cannabis use.

Inhaled products, such as cannabis flower and vaporizers, are illegal in Texas, even for medical users. The state also prohibits growing cannabis at home.

Recreational cannabis laws

Recreational cannabis is strictly illegal throughout Texas. Anyone caught possessing cannabis without being approved for medical use with the state can face criminal charges, including fines and jail time.

Medical cannabis laws

Medical cannabis became legal in Texas in 2015 with the passing of the Texas Compassionate Use Act. This means that any resident 18 or older who has a state-approved health condition can apply for the medical cannabis registry to legally purchase, possess, and use cannabis.

Texas also allows minors who have qualifying health conditions to obtain cannabis through a state-approved caregiver who is 18 or older.

However, even medical users face certain restrictions. They can only purchase products containing up to 1% THC. And inhaled products are completely prohibited. As a result, medical users have access to a limited selection of products, including:

• Edibles
• Oils
• Topicals
• Nebulizers
• Suppositories

In June 2025, Governor Greg Abbott expanded the Texas Compassionate Use Act to include more qualifying health conditions and raise the THC limit to 10%. Products must also contain a maximum of 1 gram of THC per package. These changes go into effect in September 2025.

Driving while under the influence of cannabis, even as a state-approved medical cannabis user, is a serious criminal offense in Texas. You can be charged with:

• Up to 180 days in prison
• Up to a $2,000 fine
• Suspension of your driver’s license

Unlike several other states, Texas does not have employment laws that protect state-approved medical users from being hired or getting fired as a result of participating in the state’s medical cannabis registry.

Growing cannabis is strictly illegal in Texas, even for medical users.

How to get medical marijuana in Austin

To access medical cannabis legally in Austin, first you’ll need to apply to the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). When you apply, you’ll need to provide

1. A state-issued photo ID, like your driver’s license.
2. A written medical cannabis recommendation from a licensed physician.

Finding a doctor

Before you can apply to CURT, you’ll need to find a physician who can diagnose you with one of the state’s qualifying health conditions and make a medical cannabis recommendation.

Not all physicians in Texas make medical cannabis recommendations. You can search for physicians who do in the CURT database. Or you can use a telehealth service like Leafwell, which can quickly connect you with a licensed physician through a telehealth visit from the comfort of your home.

Once you have a medical cannabis recommendation from a licensed provider, you can apply to CURT. Once you’re approved, you can begin purchasing medical cannabis from a state-licensed dispensary immediately.

Unlike other states, Texas doesn’t provide physical medical cannabis cards. To make your dispensary purchase, you’ll need to show identification and confirm personal details like your name, date of birth, and the last five digits of your social security number.

Qualifying conditions

To qualify for medical cannabis in Texas, a licensed physician must diagnose you with at least one of the following health conditions:

• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and other incurable neurodegenerative diseases
• Autism
• Cancer
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Spasticity

Starting September 1, 2025, you can also qualify for medical cannabis if you have:

• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Terminal illnesses
• Been admitted to hospice care

Can an out-of-state medical marijuana cardholder purchase medical cannabis in Austin?

Texas does not recognize reciprocity laws. This means that out-of-state visitors cannot use their medical cannabis card from another state to legally purchase cannabis in Austin.

Benefits of getting medical cannabis in Austin

The only way to access cannabis legally in Texas is by applying to join the state’s medical cannabis registry. Without state approval, Austin residents caught possessing cannabis can face penalties, including fines and jail time.

Dispensaries in Austin

There are currently very few licensed medical dispensaries in Austin. That will likely change in the near future, as Texas is preparing to increase the number of available dispensary licenses.

That said, Goodblend (7105 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741) is a state-licensed medical cannabis dispensary that offers a variety of topicals, tinctures, edibles, and more, with frequent deals and discounts.

You may encounter cannabis businesses in your neighborhood that carry unregulated products, such as THCA flower and vapes. We do not recommend purchasing from these businesses, as you risk ending up with low-quality or unsafe products.

Where to consume cannabis in Austin

State-approved medical cannabis products, such as edibles and oils, that contain 1% THC or less can be consumed anywhere at any time.

However, inhaled products are illegal in Texas, so you cannot smoke or vaporize cannabis anywhere in Austin — including private residences.

Tips for buying cannabis in Austin

Once you’re approved for the medical cannabis registry in Texas, these tips can help you enjoy cannabis safely and legally in Austin:

• Purchase from licensed dispensaries: Only buy your cannabis products from state-licensed medical dispensaries. Otherwise, you’re at risk of ending up with low-quality or unsafe cannabis.
• Experiment with product types: Although Texas restricts inhaled products, you can still choose from a variety of edibles, oils, topicals, and other products. Experiment to find what works best for your needs.
• Get expert guidance: Seek personalized advice from industry experts, especially if you’re a beginner to medical cannabis. Talk to the budtenders at your local dispensary or a Leafwell provider about how to make medical cannabis work for you.
• Compare prices: Make sure you’re getting a good deal by comparing prices between different dispensaries to get the best deals on your favorite products.
• Check up on local laws: Cannabis laws in Austin and throughout the state are continuing to evolve. Stay up to date to avoid any issues.
• Bring your documentation: Dispensaries require that you bring your state-issued photo ID to make medical cannabis purchases.

Resources 

• Compassionate Use Program. https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/compassionate-use-program
• Compassionate Use Registry of Texas. https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/compassionate-use-program/faq/compassionate-use-registry-texas-curt
• Health and safety code. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.481.htm#481.121
• H.B. No. 46. https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB00046F.htm
• Is medical marijuana legal in Texas? https://www.sll.texas.gov/faqs/medical-marijuana/
• Overview of Texas’ Compassionate Use Program. https://www.mpp.org/states/texas/overview-of-texas-cbd-bill/
• Penal code. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.49.htm