State Rep. Chuck
Moseley, D-Portage, is seeking to make cannabis oil--also known as
CBD--legal in Indiana for a person diagnosed with epilepsy.
House Bill 1148,
authored by Moseley, mirrors legislation adopted in Texas allowing the use
of CBD in the treatment of epilepsy, or as it’s also called Dravet syndrome
or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
HB1148 would
require the State Board of Health to oversee the regulation and distribution
of the CBD, which would also have to be approved by the Family and Social
Services Administration (FSSA).
To receive the
treatment, a patient would need to show a written diagnosis from a physician
stating that the person has epilepsy.
“Cannabis oil
contains barely measurable amounts of THC, so it is not intended to make you
high or produce any undesired side effects,” Moseley said. “Evidence
continues to overwhelmingly prove its ability to help a child with epilepsy
get amazingly better.”
“So far, cannabis
oil has been proven to help treat other illnesses, such as certain types of
cancer, ulcers, insomnia, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),”
according to a statement released by State Democrat Caucus.
“While cannabis oil
cannot cure epilepsy or any other illnesses,” Moseley said, “it can be used
as an alternative medical solution to help alleviate the symptoms. Just
imagine that your child is suffering in agony with hundreds of seizures a
month, and suddenly you as their parent have an opportunity to change their
lives for the better forever with virtually no side effects. I believe we
should be providing that help.”
So far 16 states
have legalized CBD, and many more are fighting to have bills passed,
including Indiana.
“It will be
interesting to see whether or not Indiana has the courage to step into the
light on this critical issue or will allow needless suffering to continue,”
Moseley noted.