Cannabis dispensaries are not permitted in Houston. Texas allows only a limited number of licensed compassionate-use dispensing organizations statewide under the Compassionate Use Act. Houston has no zoning code, and recreational cannabis remains illegal statewide.
Texas allows only licensed compassionate-use dispensing organizations to provide low-THC cannabis to qualified patients under the Texas Compassionate Use Act (Occupations Code Ch. 169). The number of licenses is extremely limited statewide, and these operations are regulated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Houston does not and cannot establish dispensary zoning because recreational cannabis is illegal under state law. Since Houston famously has no traditional zoning code, land use for legal businesses is primarily governed by deed restrictions and the Chapter 42 development ordinance rather than use-based zoning districts. Hemp-derived THC product retail stores are legal but face increasing state regulation, including license fees of $5,000 per location effective 2026.
Operating an unlicensed cannabis dispensary is a felony under Texas law. Penalties depend on the quantity involved and can include years of imprisonment.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Houston, TX
Houston defines an abandoned vehicle under City Code Chapter 8 and Texas Transportation Code §683 as one left on a public right-of-way more than 48 hours (in...
Houston, TX
Smoke alarms in Houston dwellings are governed by Tex. Health & Safety Code Chapter 766 and the Houston Fire Code, which adopts the International Fire Code (...
Houston, TX
Houston enforces the federal Tobacco 21 minimum age of 21 for all tobacco and vape sales, aligned with Texas SB 21 (2019). Texas state law preempts most loca...
Houston, TX
Houston bans minors under 17 from public places 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sunday-Thursday and 12:01 AM to 6:00 AM Friday-Saturday. A daytime school-hours curfew ru...
Houston, TX
Houston Parks and Recreation Department prohibits drone operation in city parks without a special-use permit under the Houston Parks Ordinance. Memorial Park...
Houston, TX
Houston regulates political signs under content-neutral temporary sign rules in Chapter 28 of the Code of Ordinances. Residential properties may display temp...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how other cities in Harris County handle dispensary zoning.
See how Houston's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
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