Legislation that would fund a University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Neurology study on the effectiveness of using cannabidiol (CBD) oil — a marijuana derivative — to treat severe seizures will make its way to Gov. Robert Bentley’s desk to be signed. According to news reports, Bentley planned to sign the bill after his legal staff reviewed it.
Senate Bill 174 — known as “Carly’s Law” and named after a 3-year-old Birmingham girl who experiences uncontrollable seizures caused by a genetic disorder — was passed by the Alabama House of Representatives in the early morning hours of March 20 by a vote of 97–0.
The state Senate then voted 27–0 later that day to agree with a minor House change to the bill, according to the Associated Press (AP), allowing it to receive final passage.
In its initial stages, the bill would have granted legal protection to families using CBD oil.
However, changes to the bill occurred when House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, involved UAB. The newer version of the bill, which includes providing CBD oil through the UAB study, was initially unveiled March 11, all according to AP reports.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, authorizes UAB to study the effects of CBD oil on chronically ill patients for up to five years, and the university would control and dispense the drug to participants in the study, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.
According to news reports, if the bill becomes law it would fund $1 million to UAB for the study, which can’t proceed until UAB receives approval from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
In addition to Sanford, others behind the legislation include Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, a retired agent of the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and Rep. Allen Farley, R-McCalla.
To contact your senator, call 334-242-7800. To contact your representative, call 334-242-7600.
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