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Cannabis Regulations

How College Station Handles Cannabis Regulations: A Practical Guide

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

College Station maintains 46 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with cannabis regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where College Station falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dispensary Zoning

College Station cannot zone a marijuana dispensary of any kind because possessing any usable amount of marihuana is a crime under Tex. Health & Safety Code Section 481.121, ranging from a Class B misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. The only cannabis retail Texas law permits is a DPS-licensed low-THC dispensing organization under Chapter 487, and Section 487.201 bars the city from prohibiting or zoning against one.

Key details: Possession ≤ 2 oz: Class B misdemeanor, Sec. 481.121(b)(1). Possession > 2,000 lbs: First-degree felony, life or 99 yrs, $50,000 fine. Delivery offense: Class B misdemeanor to life felony, Sec. 481.120. Lawful dispensary model: DPS-licensed low-THC only, Sec. 487.101. Local zoning ban: Prohibited by Sec. 487.201.

Possession and delivery of marihuana are enforced by College Station police and Texas DPS troopers under state law, not city ordinance, so charges run through Brazos County's courts, not municipal court. A Class B or A misdemeanor is heard in county court at law; state jail felonies and up go to district court. Running an unlicensed dispensing operation exposes the operator to felony delivery charges under Section 481.120 on top of any possession count, and a Chapter 487 licensee losing its DPS license under Section 487.108 must stop dispensing immediately.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. College Station actively enforces its dispensary zoning requirements.

Home Cultivation

College Station prohibits home cannabis cultivation. State law does not permit recreational or medical marijuana growing. Possession of cannabis plants may result in criminal charges.

College Station is more permissive than most cities when it comes to home cultivation. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

College Station's cannabis regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming College Station is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on College Station's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.