Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
House and Senate committees Monday approved a bill allowing the use of cannabis oil for patients with intractable epilepsy.
Senate Bill 339 - also known as the Texas Compassionate Use Act - authored by Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, passed out of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services with an eight-to-one vote.
It means children like 9-year-old Jacob Bingham, of Troup, would be able to use cannabidiol heavy oils (CBD) as treatment for their severe epilepsy.
The Binghams have been fighting for the measure for the past eight months.
This move is just the first step in the process, but if the bill passes the full House and Senate, eight hospitals across the state will be chosen as dispensaries, where families like the Binghams could get the oil many are calling their last hope.
"There's nothing they can give him; they can't go up, they can't add anything," Marcy Bingham said. "There's nothing they can do for him."
Jacob suffers from Dravet syndrome, a rare disorder that can cause dozens of violent and uncontrollable seizures a day. And unlike most kids his age, he can't talk or walk on his own.
"Eventually he will wind up in a wheelchair if we don't stop the progression," she said, "Which every seizure he has of course increases those risks."
Right now, Jacob takes a cocktail of adult-strength medications that are wreaking havoc on his organs, and could cause liver failure or death.
CBD oils have been proven to be effective for patients, like Jacob, with extreme epileptic conditions. But it doesn't come without controversy.
State Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, says he's open to more discussion about the use of cannabis oils, but he worries easing up on pot policies in the state will lead to more people doing the drug.
"If we reduce the fine for speeding, there's going to be more speeding and onward and onward," he said. "This is reducing the penalty for the use of marijuana. What that means is it's going to drive up the use of marijuana, including children, and that's a huge concern."
Cannabis oils are derived from the marijuana plant, but are low in THC, the psychoactive chemical found in the traditional form of the drug.
For the Binghams, this latest milestone is a chance for Jacob to be a normal kid.
"He could live a normal life, hopefully," Marcy Bingham said. "We could take him off some of these drugs that are killing him."
There are concerns, however, that Gov. Greg Abbott might veto any bill that decriminalizes marijuana.
The Texas Medical Association has opposed the bill, but supports more testing for medicinal uses of marijuana. The Texas Sheriff's Association has opposed any legislation to decriminalize or legalize marijuana in any form and for any use.
The bill is expected to be heard on the Senate floor Thursday, before it will be able to move to the full House and Senate for a vote.
A house committee also voted this week to approve a measure that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana punishable by a fine, rather than jail time.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medicinal cannabis oil bill moves forward - KYTX CBS19.tv - News, Weather, & Sports | Tyler-Longview
Author: Nina Harrelson
Contact: Contact Us - KYTX CBS19.tv - News, Weather, & Sports | Tyler-Longview
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Home - KYTX CBS19.tv - News, Weather, & Sports | Tyler-Longview
Senate Bill 339 - also known as the Texas Compassionate Use Act - authored by Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, passed out of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services with an eight-to-one vote.
It means children like 9-year-old Jacob Bingham, of Troup, would be able to use cannabidiol heavy oils (CBD) as treatment for their severe epilepsy.
The Binghams have been fighting for the measure for the past eight months.
This move is just the first step in the process, but if the bill passes the full House and Senate, eight hospitals across the state will be chosen as dispensaries, where families like the Binghams could get the oil many are calling their last hope.
"There's nothing they can give him; they can't go up, they can't add anything," Marcy Bingham said. "There's nothing they can do for him."
Jacob suffers from Dravet syndrome, a rare disorder that can cause dozens of violent and uncontrollable seizures a day. And unlike most kids his age, he can't talk or walk on his own.
"Eventually he will wind up in a wheelchair if we don't stop the progression," she said, "Which every seizure he has of course increases those risks."
Right now, Jacob takes a cocktail of adult-strength medications that are wreaking havoc on his organs, and could cause liver failure or death.
CBD oils have been proven to be effective for patients, like Jacob, with extreme epileptic conditions. But it doesn't come without controversy.
State Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, says he's open to more discussion about the use of cannabis oils, but he worries easing up on pot policies in the state will lead to more people doing the drug.
"If we reduce the fine for speeding, there's going to be more speeding and onward and onward," he said. "This is reducing the penalty for the use of marijuana. What that means is it's going to drive up the use of marijuana, including children, and that's a huge concern."
Cannabis oils are derived from the marijuana plant, but are low in THC, the psychoactive chemical found in the traditional form of the drug.
For the Binghams, this latest milestone is a chance for Jacob to be a normal kid.
"He could live a normal life, hopefully," Marcy Bingham said. "We could take him off some of these drugs that are killing him."
There are concerns, however, that Gov. Greg Abbott might veto any bill that decriminalizes marijuana.
The Texas Medical Association has opposed the bill, but supports more testing for medicinal uses of marijuana. The Texas Sheriff's Association has opposed any legislation to decriminalize or legalize marijuana in any form and for any use.
The bill is expected to be heard on the Senate floor Thursday, before it will be able to move to the full House and Senate for a vote.
A house committee also voted this week to approve a measure that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana punishable by a fine, rather than jail time.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medicinal cannabis oil bill moves forward - KYTX CBS19.tv - News, Weather, & Sports | Tyler-Longview
Author: Nina Harrelson
Contact: Contact Us - KYTX CBS19.tv - News, Weather, & Sports | Tyler-Longview
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Home - KYTX CBS19.tv - News, Weather, & Sports | Tyler-Longview
