Who We Are
Texas Patients First Foundation (TPF), the non-profit coalition made up of businesses, patients, physicians, and advocacy groups, supports more accessible patient-centered, safe and effective medical cannabis treatment options at the direction of a patient’s physician. Putting patients first means improving the safety profile and therapeutic efficacy of the patient-centered, physician-driven treatment plan with protections for the patient/doctor relationship. We believe thoughtful regulatory refinements surrounding this benefit will lead Texas patients to better outcomes. Read about our Leadership here.
What's Been Done
What We're Advocating For
A recent study commissioned by TPF shows that the majority of likely Texas voters, regardless of party affiliation, are not only undeterred by this topic once seen as divisive, but they overwhelmingly support changes to policy to enhance the quality of life for Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) patients.
- 88% favor allowing Texas patients to use cannabis for medicinal purposes
- 84% favor allowing more conditions to the eligibility to use cannabis for medicinal purposes
- 77% favor increasing the therapeutic levels of cannabis for medicinal purposes from the current 1% cap
While major advances in patient-centered allowable treatments have been monumental in the last decade, we’ve only just brushed the surface of how impactful the TCUP could be for so many under-served vulnerable populations in our state.
TPF is dedicated to promoting thoughtful policy change to:
- Allow additional critical/chronic conditions to be covered under TCUP
- Entrust the doctors with the informed authority to match therapeutic THC levels based on the specific patient’s needs with protection by the patient/doctor relationship
- Encourage and support physicians educating interested parties and patients on how TCUP works
Leadership
Chase Bearden
TPF Director of Policy and Advocacy
As Deputy Executive Director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD), Chase is called on for research, policy analysis and recommendations to the Texas Legislature, state agencies and private sector companies on issues surrounding Texans with disabilities. CTD works collaboratively with current organizational allies and industries while creating new alliances that make significant positive impacts on policy issues facing people with disabilities and their families.
Chase has successfully advocated for positive change in government policy and practice in the expansion of the Texas Compassionate Use Program, the life sciences industries, employment, transportation, voting, education, health care, architectural barriers and to promote the full inclusion and participation of Texans with disabilities in community life.
Frank Santos, J.D.
TPF Chief Executive Officer
Frank Santos combines deep expertise in public policy, law, and strategic communication to help businesses and organizations achieve their legislative, regulatory, and business objectives. His public affairs firm, Santos Alliances, is widely seen as one of the most successful and effective firms in the state of Texas by representing some of the nation’s largest corporations and associations.
Santos has developed highly successful grassroots alliances and third-party advocacy networks for numerous associations and corporations and is known for his extensive work with Hispanic opinion leaders. He served as chief national consultant and strategist for the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), helping to enlist the participation of high-profile leaders from states with significant Hispanic populations. He also was instrumental in developing a nationwide health care strategy for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Santos founded the Board of Latino Legislative Leader (formerly the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs), an organization with representation from over 40 states.
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