Pubdate: Thu, 12 Feb 2015
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2015 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: Randy Krehbiel

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO LEGALIZE POT-DERIVED DRUG

Cannabidiol, Extracted From Marijuana, Is Used to Treat Severe 
Epileptic Seizures.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The House of Representatives voted 99-2 Wednesday to 
legalize an active marijuana ingredient used in the treatment of 
severe epileptic seizures.

The two "no" votes were by Republicans Scott Biggs of Chickasha and 
Mike Sanders of Kingfisher.

House Bill 2154, by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, would allow 
children to participate in clinical trials for cannabidiol, a 
substance extracted from marijuana stalks. Cannabidiol, or CBD, does 
not contain the chemical that creates marijuana's narcotic affect.

The bill is seen as a potential salvation for young epilepsy patients 
and as a countermeasure to legal medical marijuana initiatives.

In presenting his bill, Echols introduced a number of children in the 
gallery he said would benefit from its passage. Echols said his own 
niece suffers from seizures treatable with CBD.

Although all 29 Democrats ultimately voted for the bill, Minority 
Leader Scott Inman of Del City held it up briefly with an 
unsuccessful attempt to attach a floor amendment requiring health 
insurers to cover the treatments, something they generally do not do 
because of the drug's experimental status.

Echols said he did not know the cost of treatments but said his 
niece's family pays $1,100 a month for a similar French drug. "This 
would be cheaper," he said. Without the amendment, Inman said, "only 
those wealthy enough to afford the treatments" will benefit from the bill.

Some researchers say CBD also shows promise as a treatment for other 
disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety and depression.

HB 2124 now goes to the Senate, where its sponsor is Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom