One of the state’s three dispensaries is now offering medical marijuana in the form of gummies.

Surterra Wellness – a Florida-based marijuana company with a dispensary in Austin – launched its line of cannabis-infused edibles in the Lone Star state at the end of January to provide patients with increased amounts of THC in a less intimidating form, said Marcus Ruark, the company’s president.

“Gummies are a popular dosing form in medical markets across the United States and we thought it would be beneficial to bring it to patients here,” Ruark said.

Ruark said the gummies contain terpenes, a naturally occurring compound in the cannabis plant that provides a variety of therapeutic benefits. They also give medical marijuana users a new way in ingest THC. For some, the flavors make it an easier option, Ruark said.

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Medicinal marijuana is legal in Texas but is very restricted. Residents must be accepted into the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which was created in 2015 and allows for low-level THC cannabis products for those who suffer from medical conditions such as epilepsy, seizures, terminal cancer, multiple sclerosis, incurable neurological disorders, autism and ALS.

Medical marijuana advocates in Texas are pushing legislators to expand the program to include those who have PTSD.

Ruark hopes by providing gummies, the company can raise awareness about the state’s medical marijuana program. He says that there is about 2 million  Texans who could qualify for medical marijuana but don’t know about it.

“We want to get the word out about the benefits of cannabis, especially for veterans. It helps so much,” Ruark said.

Surterra’s patients can order a 40-count bottle of gummies in flavors like orange or tropical paradise for delivery. Each bottle costs $60 and contains 200 milligrams of THC.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway