LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 27, 2015

TO:	Honorable Myra Crownover, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB837 by Naishtat (Relating to the medical use of marihuana; providing a defense to prosecution for possession of marihuana.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code and the Occupations Code relating to the medical use of marihuana. The bill would create an affirmative defense to prosecution of the possession of marihuana. The bill would prohibit an agency or a political subdivision from initiating an investigation into a physician's license to practice medicine solely due to the physician discussed marihuana as a treatment option with a patient or made a statement that the potential benefits of marihuana would outweigh the health risks for a patient. The bill would prohibit a physician from being subjected to disciplinary actions solely for making a statement that the potential benefits of marihuana would outweigh the health risks for a patient.

This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

405 Department of Public Safety, 503 Texas Medical Board, 537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

UP, NB, SD, EK, ESi, CL, NV, JAW