The complete guide to cannabis in San Antonio

San Antonio residents face certain legal restrictions when it comes to buying, possessing, and using cannabis. While recreational cannabis is prohibited throughout Texas, medical use is legal for those who qualify.

If you’re a San Antonio resident, it’s important to know your local cannabis laws and where to buy high-quality products legally.

Key takeaways

Here are the must-know facts about medical cannabis in San Antonio:

• Legal age: State-approved medical users must be at least 18 years old to purchase from a licensed dispensary.
• Purchase limits: State-approved medical cannabis users can only purchase products that contain up to 1 gram of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and up to 10 milligrams of THC per dose.
• Product restrictions: Smokable flower is illegal in Texas.

Texas cannabis laws

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Texas. Criminal penalties for possessing cannabis without state approval for medical use can include fines and jail time.

However, state residents who have been diagnosed with certain health conditions are eligible to sign up for legal use through the state’s medical cannabis program, known as the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT).

Texas has banned the use of smokable flower. The state also prohibits residents, including state-approved medical users, from growing cannabis at home.

Medical cannabis laws

In 2015, the state passed the Texas Compassionate Use Act, making medical cannabis legal for anyone 18 or older who has been diagnosed with one of the state’s qualifying health conditions. State residents must be registered with CURT in order to purchase cannabis legally.

Caregivers may be able to obtain medical cannabis on behalf of a minor who has one of the state’s qualifying health conditions by applying through the same registry system.

The Texas Compassionate Use Act was expanded in June 2025, and changes went into effect on September 1, 2025. These changes include:

• Increase the THC limit to 10 milligrams per dose
• Require that all products contain a maximum of 1 gram of THC
• Add more qualifying health conditions
• Add to the list of approved product types

That said, medical cannabis users may now purchase:

• Edibles
• Oils
• Topicals
• Nebulizers
• Suppositories
• Lotions
• Inhalers
• Vaping devices

Note that smokable cannabis flower remains prohibited.

Even if you’re approved for medical cannabis, driving while intoxicated is a serious crime in Texas, punishable by:

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

While some states have employment laws that offer legal protections to workers, Texas does not. This means that medical cannabis users are at risk of losing their job or not getting hired if they test positive for cannabis.

Texas law also forbids all residents — even state-approved medical users — from growing cannabis at home.

How to get medical marijuana in San Antonio

To obtain legal access to medical cannabis in San Antonio, you’ll need to be registered with CURT. This requires that you have:

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

Finding a doctor

To access medical cannabis in San Antonio, first you’ll need to obtain a cannabis recommendation from a licensed physician. If you have one of the state’s qualifying health conditions, the physician will provide written documentation of your diagnosis and enter it into the state’s registry system.

Not all doctors in San Antonio make cannabis recommendations. To find one who does, you can search online through the CURT database. Or, you can work with a telehealth service like Leafwell, which can connect you to a doctor within minutes to discuss your options from the comfort of your home.

It’s important to know that Texas does not issue physical medical cannabis cards. Once you’re approved and registered with the state, you can begin buying cannabis immediately from state-licensed dispensaries. You’ll just 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 San Antonio, you must be diagnosed 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
• Chronic pain
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Spasticity
• Terminal illnesses, or you’ve been admitted to hospice care
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Can an out-of-state medical marijuana patient purchase medical cannabis in San Antonio?

Texas does not recognize reciprocity laws. This means that visitors from other states cannot purchase medical cannabis from dispensaries in San Antonio.

Benefits of getting medical cannabis in San Antonio

The only way to legally access cannabis in San Antonio is to register with CURT. Possessing cannabis without registration can lead to legal penalties, including fines and jail time.

Dispensaries in San Antonio

• Goodblend (18720 Stone Oak Pkwy #107, San Antonio, TX 78258): Goodblend provides an array of topicals, edibles, and oils, with frequent discounts and deals on products.
• Texas Original (1464 Austin Hwy #104, San Antonio, TX 78209): Texas Original carries only the highest-quality cannabis edibles, topicals, and more.

Where to consume cannabis in San Antonio

Texas laws don’t forbid state-approved residents from consuming cannabis that contains 10% THC or less in public. That said, it’s best to consume in a private residence.

The law does forbid use of smokable flower. So consuming these products anywhere, including private residences, is strictly prohibited.

Tips for buying cannabis in San Antonio

Once you’re registered with CURT, use these tips to help you use cannabis safely and legally throughout San Antonio:

• Purchase from licensed dispensaries: Only buy cannabis products from state-licensed medical dispensaries. Otherwise, there’s a risk you’ll end up with low-quality or unsafe products.
• Check local laws: Texas cannabis laws are evolving. Stay in the know to avoid any potential issues.
• Bring your ID: Licensed dispensaries require you to show your state-issued photo ID before purchasing medical cannabis.
• Experiment with product types: Texas has banned cannabis flower. That said, you can still explore a variety of edibles, oils, topicals, and vapes.
• Get expert guidance: Consider talking with a cannabis expert if you’re a beginner. A budtender at your local dispensary or Leafwell provider can help you choose the right product and dosing plan for your needs.
• Compare prices: Checking out the cost of your favorite products at different dispensaries can help you avoid overspending on cannabis.

Resources 

• Compassionate Use Program. https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/compassionate-use-program
• Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). 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