A significant milestone has been reached in Texas as a prominent medical marijuana company unveils a new facility in Bastrop, just southeast of Austin. This impressive 65,000-square-foot establishment marks a substantial expansion, nearly ten times larger than the company’s previous headquarters.
The Texas Original facility, situated at 176 FM 969 in Bastrop, is designed to enhance various operations including cultivation, manufacturing, testing, packaging, and distribution of medical cannabis products across the state. This expansion arrives at a crucial moment, following the recent passage of House Bill 46, which broadens the state’s medical cannabis program to encompass additional conditions and methods of delivery.
Nico Richardson, the CEO of Texas Original, emphasized the significance of this new facility, stating, “This facility represents the future of medical cannabis in Texas. Our expanded operations in Bastrop allow us to serve even more patients across the state, and with the quality expected from Texas Original. As legislative changes under House Bill 46 create opportunities for more Texans to access medical cannabis, we’re ready to meet that need.”
The recent legislative changes have extended the state’s compassionate use program, allowing individuals in hospice care and those suffering from chronic pain— as defined by the Texas Medical Board— to benefit from medical cannabis. Additionally, the law now permits new delivery methods, including aerosol and vapor products, such as vape pens, expanding beyond the current limitations of oral products.
In conjunction with these developments, the Texas Department of Public Safety has conditionally selected nine new dispensaries to operate under the state’s Compassionate Use Program, thus increasing access for patients. Initially established in 2015, the program has seen gradual expansions, with House Bill 46 adding qualifying conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, Crohn’s disease, and terminal illnesses.
