On September 16 the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) released a news update on their website stating that the department’s Compassionate Use Program will reopen the application process for dispensing organization licenses on October 1, 2019.

From the DPS TCUP news update:

“The department will convene a panel to review and evaluate the applications. Panel members will score the applications based on the point allocation provided on the Applicant Checklist. Scores will be combined to generate an aggregate score for each application. The applicants will then be ranked based on the aggregate scores.

The number of applicants to be conditionally approved will be based on the department’s assessment of the top applicants’ production capabilities and resources, as well as any additional data that may become available on patient numbers and demand for low-THC cannabis. Following completion of all licensure requirements, passage of all background checks, and a showing of significant progress toward cultivation and production readiness, the licenses will be issued. Should a conditionally approved applicant fail to satisfy these conditions, the next highest scoring applicant will be conditionally approved.”

If one reads through the applicant checklist provided on the website it’s not easy to get even the pre-requirements which are not scored at all, achieved.  Imagine trying to place a flaming thread end through the eye of a sewing needle while riding horseback blindfolded, applying could be like that if you are an up and coming business entrepreneur. All of this is easily achievable and affordable if you are an established corporation looking to open up different avenues for revenue. Your local ma and pa shop would be overwhelmed with this, whereas a corporation like H-E-B would have almost no problem trying to get this avenue going if it decided to enter that arena.

This comes as DPS recently announced that the physician register and search feature was ready to use again, due to the change in law via HB3703 requiring any provider that wants to be publicly listed on the registry to mark on their applications that they want to be publicly listed.

Applications will be accepted October 1st until November 1st.