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US: House Gives Cannabis Oil for Epilepsy Preliminary OK
KCEN TV Tuesday 19 May 2015 "We got it done," state Rep. Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) told supporters between tears and hugs. On a vote of 96 to 34, the Texas House voted in favor of Senate Bill 339 on second reading. The bill would allow doctor-prescribed oil derived from the marijuana plant for use in treating intractable epilepsy. "These families have no other options, and this provides another treatment option available to them," Klick told KVUE after Monday's vote. Several families with children suffering from epilepsy congratulated Klick after anxiously watching the vote from the gallery. Among them were Jeff and Shawna Davis, along with their three-year old daughter Karley. Diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome right after her first birthday, Karley suffers from the same type of epilepsy other parents report being treated effectively by oils high in cannabidiol (CBD), which is found in marijuana along with the psychoactive chemical THC. Special strains of marijuana are now being grown to maximize the level of CBD while minimizing THC. Oil from the plant is then administered orally to treat seizures. "It's got so little THC in it that you can't get high. So the people that want to abuse drugs don't even want it," said Jeff Davis. Others still have deep-seated concerns. "Medical to decriminalizing to legalization, they're all part of the same picture," state Rep. Mark Keough (R-The Woodlands) warned fellow House members during floor debate on the bill. In addition to concerns about opening the door to other marijuana legislation, Klick told KVUE some members were initially concerned that CBD oil had not been approved by the FDA. "With pediatric epilepsy patients, it's very common to not have an FDA-approved product," said Klick, who like other supporters of the bill warned that patients can't wait the years FDA approval is likely to take. The bill a final formal vote on Tuesday before heading to the governor's desk. If it isn't vetoed there, the Davis's say life for them could soon change. "We hope to have access as early as 2016, potentially, so that we can try this medication on her," said Jeff Davis. "Her current medications are not controlling her seizures." http://www.kcentv.com/story/29098758/house-gives-cannabis-oil-for-epilepsy-preliminary-ok
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