What is the Texas Compassionate Use Program?
The Texas Compassionate Use Program permits qualified Texas physicians to prescribe low-THC cannabis for patients with certain qualifying medical conditions. Eligible patients are entered into the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas, commonly known as CURT.
This practice provides individualized physician evaluation and ongoing medical follow-up for patients who may qualify for treatment through the program.
Does every patient with a qualifying diagnosis automatically qualify?
No. Having a condition recognized under Texas law does not automatically mean that treatment with low-THC cannabis is medically appropriate.
Dr. Rivers must independently review the patient’s diagnosis, medical history, current medications, previous treatments, potential risks, and individual circumstances before making a medical decision.
Acceptance into the practice, entry into CURT, or issuance of a prescription is never guaranteed.
Is a physician referral required?
Dr. Rivers would appreciate a letter of referral from your primary doctor or specialist managing your qualifying condition. A list of conditions recognized by the State of Texas as qualifying for a patient to be authorized to receive a low-THC cannabis product is found below.
The referring physician may initially speak with Dr. Rivers through the Physician Consultation Line (254-441-7723) so that a preliminary review can begin. A VA Letter of Disability Confirmation will also suffice for this purpose, although Dr.Rivers may want to speak with your doctor directly as well.
The referral can be submitted using the practice’s Physician Referral Form or by an equivalent signed and dated letter from the referring physician.
What information should the physician referral contain?
The referral should include:
- The medical condition or diagnosis for which the patient is being referred
- A list of the patient’s current prescribed medications
- Any other significant medical or psychiatric conditions known of which your doctor is aware.
- Treatments and alternatives previously attempted, to the extent known by the referring physician
- The referring physician’s name and contact information
- The physician’s signature and the date of the referral
Additional medical records may be requested when needed for a complete evaluation.
How should the referral and medical records be submitted?
Referral letters and medical records should be submitted only through the secure submission system designated by the practice, and a link for this purpose is found on our website.
They should not be sent through ordinary email or through the website’s general contact form.
Instructions for secure submission will be provided to the patient or referring physician during the preliminary review process.
Is the consultation conducted by telemedicine?
Yes. This is a Texas telemedicine practice. Consultations and follow-up visits are conducted remotely using the secure systems designated by the practice.
Patients must be physically located in Texas at the time of each medical consultation.
Must I be a Texas resident?
A patient must satisfy the applicable requirements of the Texas Compassionate Use Program and must be physically present in Texas when receiving telemedicine services from the practice.
Eligibility and identity information will be verified before treatment is provided.
What happens after my referral is received?
The referral and available information will be reviewed by Dr. Rivers to determine whether an initial consultation appears appropriate.
If the prospective patient is invited to proceed, the patient will receive instructions for:
- Secure registration
- Completion of the New Patient Intake Form
- Submission of relevant medical records
- Review and signature of required consent and practice documents
- Payment of the initial consultation fee
- Scheduling the telemedicine consultation
An invitation to schedule a consultation does not guarantee acceptance into the practice, entry into CURT, or issuance of a prescription.
What happens during the initial consultation?
Dr. Rivers will review the patient’s medical history, qualifying condition, current medications, previous treatments, relevant medical records, and individual treatment goals.
The consultation is a medical evaluation—not simply a certification appointment. Dr. Rivers will determine whether low-THC cannabis appears medically appropriate and whether the patient can be safely and responsibly treated within the practice.
Will I automatically receive a prescription at the first consultation?
No. Payment for or completion of a consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued.
A prescription will be entered only when Dr. Rivers determines, in his independent medical judgment, that the patient qualifies under Texas law and that the proposed treatment is medically appropriate.
Additional information, records, consultation with another physician, or further evaluation may be required before a decision can be made.
What is CURT?
CURT is the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas. It is the state-operated system used by participating physicians and licensed dispensaries.
When a physician determines that a patient qualifies and that treatment is medically appropriate, the physician enters the required information and prescription into CURT. The patient does not personally register in CURT or receive a conventional written prescription.
Is this the same as receiving a medical marijuana card?
No. Texas does not use a conventional medical marijuana card system.
Qualified patients are entered into CURT by an authorized physician. Licensed dispensing organizations use the registry to verify the patient and fill an active prescription.
The correct terminology for treatment under the Texas program is low-THC cannabis.
Does the practice dispense low-THC cannabis?
No. This practice does not sell or dispense low-THC cannabis.
Prescriptions entered into CURT may be filled only by a dispensing organization licensed by the State of Texas. Medication and dispensing costs are separate from the professional fees charged by this practice.
How much does the practice charge?
The initial physician consultation is $175.
Monthly follow-up consultations are $75.
Professional fees are payable in advance. Medication, dispensing charges, laboratory testing, outside consultations, medical records, and other services provided by third parties are not included.
Complete payment terms are provided in the practice’s Financial Policy.
Does paying the consultation fee guarantee acceptance or treatment?
No. Payment does not guarantee:
- Admission to the practice
- Qualification under Texas law
- Entry into CURT
- Issuance or continuation of a prescription
- A particular dose or formulation
- Any specific treatment result
Fees compensate the practice for the physician’s time, professional evaluation, medical judgment, documentation, and related services.
Why are follow-up consultations required?
Low-THC cannabis treatment requires ongoing medical supervision. Follow-up consultations allow Dr. Rivers to evaluate:
- Treatment response
- Possible adverse effects
- Changes in symptoms or health
- Changes in other medications
- Whether treatment remains appropriate
- Whether the prescription should be continued or adjusted
Regular follow-up is also consistent with the practice’s commitment to continuity and individualized medical care.
May my regular physician remain involved in my care?
Yes. This practice is intended to complement—not replace—the patient’s established medical care.
Patients should continue seeing their primary physician, specialist, psychiatrist, or other treating professionals as appropriate. With the patient’s authorization, Dr. Rivers may communicate with those clinicians when coordination would benefit the patient.
Will Dr. Rivers treat my other medical problems?
No. The practice is limited to evaluation and ongoing management related to possible treatment under the Texas Compassionate Use Program.
It does not provide primary care, emergency care, psychiatric crisis care, other pain-management services, or comprehensive treatment of unrelated medical conditions.
What should I do in an emergency?
This practice does not provide emergency or urgent medical services.
For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For an immediate mental-health crisis, call 911, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or seek care at the nearest emergency facility.
Do not use the website, patient portal, or Physician Consultation Line for emergencies.
Is low-THC cannabis appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Patients who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding must inform Dr. Rivers before treatment is considered or continued.
These circumstances require careful individualized medical evaluation, and treatment may not be appropriate.
Can low-THC cannabis interact with other medications?
Yes. Cannabinoid products may interact with prescription medications, nonprescription medications, alcohol, and other substances.
A complete and accurate medication list is therefore required. Patients must promptly report medication changes and should not discontinue or modify another prescribed treatment without consulting the clinician responsible for that treatment.
May I drive after using low-THC cannabis?
Patients must not drive, operate machinery, or engage in potentially dangerous activities while impaired or while uncertain about how treatment affects them.
Patients must follow Dr. Rivers’ instructions and all applicable laws concerning driving, employment, travel, and possession.
Can I take low-THC cannabis outside Texas?
Cannabis laws vary substantially among states and under federal law. Entry into CURT does not provide blanket authorization to possess or transport cannabis outside Texas or across state or international borders.
Patients are responsible for understanding and complying with the laws applicable to their location and travel.
Can Dr. Rivers decline or discontinue treatment?
Yes. Dr. Rivers may decline to initiate treatment or may discontinue treatment when, in his medical judgment:
- Treatment is not medically appropriate
- Required information cannot be verified
- Risks outweigh potential benefits
- The patient does not comply with follow-up requirements
- The patient provides incomplete or inaccurate information
- A satisfactory physician-patient relationship cannot be maintained
- When appropriate, the patient will be advised to seek care from another qualified physician or healthcare resource.
How do I begin?
Click the Contact link taking you to initial registration and follow the instructions for preliminary review.
Please do not submit medical records or sensitive health information through ordinary email or the general website contact form.