Texasâ medical marijuana program is one of the most restrictive in the country. Advocates hope the Legislature will change that. With a new legislative session gaveling in next month, some Texas lawmakers see an opportunity to fix the stateâs medical cannabis program â known as the Compassionate Use Program â by further expanding eligibility and loosening some restrictions. (Source: Patrick Morrissey/Getty Images via The Texas Tribune) By Sami Sparber and Aria Jones | April 28, 2021 at 4:14 PM CDT - Updated April 29 at 1:05 AM Jan. 4, 2021 , our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Five years after Texas legalized medical marijuana for people with debilitating illnesses, advocates and industry experts say the stateâs strict rules, red tape and burdensome barriers to entry have left the program largely inaccessible to those it was intended to help.