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Rep. Goodin supports cannabis oil for epilepsy treatment

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INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Terry Goodin (D-Austin) is pursuing legislation that provides an exemption from criminal penalties for possession or use of cannabis oil extract in cases where the oil provides a medicinal benefit to an individual.

“This isn’t about legalizing recreational marijuana use. In fact, cannabis oil is ingested orally and doesn’t produce a high,” he added.

House Bill 1387 establishes an exemption for possession or use of cannabis oil if the individual is: (1) a patient of a physician who is practicing at a hospital or clinic that is affiliated with a state medical school and as part of the treatment, the physician has dispensed, administered, or transferred the substance to the patients or (2) participating in a clinical trial or expanded access program for which the use of cannabis oil has been approved by the federal Food & Drug Administration. As used in this legislation, “cannabis oil” includes cannabidiol oil, or CBD.

“Cannabis oil extract offers serious health benefits under certain circumstances. It has been scientifically proven to lessen the effects of seizures for children who suffer from severe epilepsy.” Goodin explained. “Families are moving across the country to other states that have legalized the oil, so that their children have access to this treatment.”

The Epilepsy Foundation supports state laws that ease the options for people with severe epilepsy and lead them to seek specialty care. The organization has advocated for states to expand access to cannabis oil. However, it acknowledges the challenges created by the lack of uniformity in existing marijuana laws and encourages states to create a supply of the oil.

Twelve states have already passed laws to legalize cannabis oil, including our neighbor Kentucky. Georgia and New York are currently investigating and considering the efficacy of cannabidiol oil by children suffering from seizures.

Additional medicinal uses for cannabis oil extract include its ability to treat certain cancers, PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, appetite loss, and chronic pain.

“Lawmakers across the country are recognizing the medicinal properties that cannabis oil can provide to people with chronic or debilitating illnesses,” said Goodin. “I urge my colleagues to consider exempting the oil from criminal penalties to provide relief that is currently unavailable to these individuals.

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