A sample of medical marijuana is displayed at a dispensary in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File) more >
By Bill Sizemore - Associated Press - Tuesday, February 10, 2015
RICHMOND The General Assembly has passed legislation to allow use of two derivatives of the marijuana plant for treating severe epilepsy.
Its the first effective medical marijuana legislation to win approval in Virginia, according to its House sponsor, Del. Dave Albo.
Albos measure, unanimously passed by the House on Tuesday, allows possession of cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil with written certification by a doctor that it is needed for treatment of intractable epilepsy.
Lawmakers were moved by emotional testimony from parents of children with epilepsy who have suffered debilitating side effects from taking legal drugs.
A similar bill was approved by the state Senate last week 37-1.
Medical marijuana for treatment of cancer and glaucoma is technically legal in Virginia, but that law has been ineffective because it relies on a doctors prescription, Albo said. Doctors are prohibited by federal law from prescribing marijuana.
The epilepsy legislation skirts that problem by requiring only a certification, not a prescription.
If youre a kid with intractable epilepsy and you get caught with marijuana oil, Im not going to make you a criminal, Albo said.
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Va. legislature OKs marijuana oils for treating epilepsy