Pubdate: Wed, 06 May 2015
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2015 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463

POSITIVE STEP

We applaud Gov. Mary Fallin's decision to sign legislation allowing a 
medical pilot program that uses a nonintoxicating derivative of 
marijuana - medicinal cannabis oil or CBD - to help children with 
seizure disorders.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, was 
carefully written to allow for tightly controlled investigational 
medical studies that can be conducted in a safe, responsible and 
scientific manner.

"It is not marijuana, and it is not anything that can make you high," 
Fallin said. "This law has been narrowly crafted to support highly 
supervised medical trials for children with debilitating seizures."

Fallin remains opposed to any broader legalization of marijuana. She 
also does not approve of all medical marijuana applications and, of 
course, recreational use of pot.

This measure is a compassionate and potentially life-saving step 
toward helping children, especially toddlers, with a rare condition 
that causes seizures and strokes.

Some parents firmly believe that CBD helps, or could help, their 
young children, and they wanted it available so that families do not 
have to go through the inconvenience, expense and upheaval of leaving 
the state to seek treatment.

The governor and the Legislature pursued a prudent course in 
approving limited, supervised use of medical marijuana, which we hope 
improves the lives of those small children afflicted with seizure disorder.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom