The N.C. House on July 14 gave final approval to House Bill 766, a bill that would allow more people suffering from “intractable epilepsy” to use a hemp extract to treat the disease.
The next stop is Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk.
If he signs the bill, the extract known as CBD oil could be used by certain neurologists to treat intractable epilepsy without participating in a pilot study. H.B. 766 eliminates references to medical studies needed for legal use of the extract.
Rep. Pat McElraft, R-Carteret, sponsor of the bill, said that patients using the extract would receive a letter from their authorized doctor allowing legal use of the product.
“The patients will keep the letter as their proof that they can use CBD oil,” McElraft said.
McElraft also said that the amount of extract legally allowed in the state would be less that what is allowed in many other states, even though the bill increases that amount.
“You can drink the whole bottle and still not get high,” McElraft said.
In 2014, the General Assembly established the N.C. Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act. The act defines intractable epilepsy as a seizure disorder that does not respond to three or more treatment options overseen by a neurologist.
Without the medical exemption, use and possession of cannabis is considered a misdemeanor under North Carolina law.
While the bill passed Tuesday removes requirements that patients and doctors participate in pilot programs and trials, the bill continues to encourage the state’s medical research hospitals to continue their clinical trials.
Tuesday’s vote was 102-2 in favor of concurring with changes that the Senate made to the bill. The House originally passed the bill in April. The Senate adopted its modified version of the bill earlier in July.
Barry Smith (@Barry_Smith) is an associate editor of Carolina Journal.