News Releases

Head: Bill to Allow Cannabidiol for Severe Epilepsy Passes Senate

STATEHOUSE (April 20, 2017) – A bill sponsored by State Sen. Randy Head (R-Logansport) to allow the use of cannabidiol (CBD) to treat people with treatment-resistant epilepsy passed the Senate today by a vote of 36-13.

House Bill 1148 would require the Indiana State Department of Health to create and maintain a CBD registry, which would include the names of those allowed to use CBD oil. Only those with treatment-resistant epilepsy would be permitted to use the substance.

CBD oil is derived from the cannabis plant, but it cannot make patients “high,” because under this bill, all CBD oil used to treat those with treatment-resistant epilepsy would have no more than .3 percent of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for making people “high.”

“People who suffer from severe forms of epilepsy can have over 100 seizures a day, and they need relief from this terrible disease,” Head said. “This bill will make CBD oil a legal option for the treatment of frequent seizures and other health effects associated with epilepsy."

State Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) has been advocating for the medical use of CBD oil for many years.

“My ultimate goal was to establish a way for families to get treatment options for children struggling with epilepsy,” Tomes said. “This measure will give these families what they have waited entirely too long for.”

State Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Syracuse) made the legalization of CBD oil for epilepsy a priority for his first legislative session.

“This bill hits close to home for me,” Doriot said. “My son suffered from seizures as a child, and although he is better now, not all families are as fortunate. A proper understanding of what CBD oil is and how it is derived is crucial in order to change the minds of those against the use of this potentially helpful remedy. I am grateful we are one step closer in getting those who are suffering the help they need.”

For more information on HB 1148, click here.

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High-resolution photos of Head, Tomes and Doriot can be found here.

Contact: Molly Swigart, Press Secretary
molly.swigart@iga.in.gov
317.232.9498

Lindsey Ross, Press Secretary Intern
lindsey.ross@iga.in.gov