CANNABIS

On Sept. 1, the Texas Compassionate Use Act was expanded to qualify more patients and doubled the THC limit for medical cannabis.

The use of cannabis, though safer than many other drugs, is not entirely without risk. AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file CC BY-ND In stark contrast to the overblown fears portrayed during decades past, these days, most people think cannabis is relatively harmless. While weed is indeed less dangerous than some other drugs, it is not without risks. In a study published Jan. 5, my colleagues and I found that 59% percent of people using medical cannabis for chronic pain experienced moderate to severe

Cannabis users are up to five times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than non-smokers, a new study shows. The class B drug has long been anecdotally linked with mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. But a study of more than a quarter of a million young adults in the US, run by the National Institutes of Health, assessed the strength of the connection. It revealed that around 3 per cent of the population who do not smoke cannabis and do not suffer from depressive episodes

Cannabis has been touted for its pain-relieving and calming effects, but there are some myths you should know about.

A newly published study suggests cannabis use may pose serious problems for young people with mood disorders.

The Texas legislature is dealing with numerous bills that could have a huge impact on our local community, your family and friends.

The Texas House gave initial approval on Wednesday to a bill that would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans suffering from PTSD.

SAN ANTONIO – Texas lawmakers have begun filing bills for the upcoming legislative session and there are already more than a dozen bills regarding marijuana use and decriminalization. The new bill proposals come off the heels of five more states legalizing marijuana for full medical use or recreational use. “The people of Texas are tired of marijuana prohibition,” Heather Fazio the director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy said. The Compassionate Use Act in Texas only allows a small amount of medical marijuana to certain patients. The 86th Legislative session begins on Jan. 8.

With those rules that take effect Sunday comes a retail ban on smokeable hemp. So the state asked the public for comment on why it should keep smokeable hemp products on shelves. "There were just under 1,700 commenters, however, who strongly disagreed with (a retail hemp ban) being included in the rules," Finkel said. Because of the retail smokeable hemp ban that’s taking effect on Aug. 2, many shops across Texas will be affected, Finkel says. To read more about the Texas hemp rules, click here.

SAN ANTONIO – Taking a closer look at both the marijuana and hemp plants and you will discover the huge difference between the two. Hemp plants have .3 percent or less of THC, while the marijuana plants have a higher level. Their appearance from far away may look the same but when you get close the hemp plant grows taller and skinnier, while the marijuana plant has buds, or flowers, and doesn’t grow as tall. The dried flowers of a marijuana plant are what people smoke. Hemp is legal to grow and possess in Texas and marijuana isn’t.

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Compassionate Use Act now makes medical cannabis available to certain people. Related: Go inside one of the first medical cannabis dispensaries in TexasWho qualifies? Finding a doctorIn Texas right now there are only 21 doctors who are registered with the state to prescribe medical cannabis. Here's the list of doctors:Dr. Linda Leary - 8300 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229Dr. Lola Morgan - 8300 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229Dr. Kelly Averill - 4502 Medical Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229Dr. Charles Szabo - 8300 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229Dr. Colin Sanner - 417 S. King St., Seguin, TX 78155Click here for the full list of doctors. Currently, insurance does not cover medical cannabis.