Virginia moves closer to legalizing a form of medical marijuana NOW WATCHING:VIRGINIA FAMILY CELEBRATES PASSING OF BILL LEGALIZING MEDICAL CANNABIDIOL OIL
Virginia moves closer to legalizing a form of medical marijuana NOW WATCHING:VIRGINIA FAMILY CELEBRATES PASSING OF BILL LEGALIZING MEDICAL CANNABIDIOL OIL
http://www.kvue.com/news/virginia-moves-closer-to-legalizing-a-form-of-medical-marijuana/514378554
FAIRFAX, VA. (WUSA9) - The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that would legalize medical cannabidiol oil on Friday.
“It feels great. I was really truly not expecting unanimous,” Beth Collins said.
Collins was surprised to see 98 yes’s and zero no’s for HB 1251.
The legislation would allow doctors in Virginia to prescribe a form of medical marijuana for people living with any condition or disease.
It is called cannabidiol or THC-A.
RELATED: Stigma still exists despite legalized medical marijuana
The oil contains extracts from marijuana that can help with pain and even help fight some cancer cells.
It has been a long, four-year journey for Collins and her family.
Her daughter, Jennifer, is living with epilepsy and suffered severe seizures.
She tried all types of medication that either did not work or caused major side effects.
“Rages, depression, suicidal thoughts,” Collins explained.
Things got so bad that Collins decided to split up their family and moved to Colorado where the cannabis oil Jennifer needed was legal.
“We moved back and said, you know let’s change the law,” Collins told WUSA9. “Let’s stay in Virginia. Let her finish high school in Virginia.”
Jennifer is now 18-years-old and a high school senior.
The family spent the last four years lobbying and educating legislators in Richmond.
They were successful in getting a law passed that legalized the oil for epilepsy patients previously, but there was no place to get the medicine in the state.
Last year, lawmakers were successful in securing future distribution and growing facilities in the state.
The state will be looking for proposals for five distribution and growing facilities.
If passed, the law would not only cover epilepsy patients, but it would help anyone who doctors believe needs the cannabidiol.
“I’m not giving up until everybody has what they need,” Collins said.
If the bill is passed in the Senate, both doctors and patients would have to register with the state in order to have access to the oil.
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Virginia House passes medical marijuana bill!
http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Virginia-House-passes-medical-marijuana-bill-472434283.html
RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ7) The House of Delegates has approved legislation that could expand the use of medical marijuana in Virginia
Current law allows Virginians to possess cannabis oil for the treatment of severe epilepsy.
The legislation introduced by Delegate Ben Cline (R-Rockbridge County) would let doctors prescribe the marijuana extract for any diagnosed condition or disease.
A companion bill is up for a vote next week in the State Senate, and it's expected to pass.
The bill would then go to Governor Northam, who has said he supports expanding the legal use of medical marijuana.
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Marijuana-related bills in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly
The following marijuana-related bills have been filed for the 2018 Virginia General Assembly legislative session. This page will be updated regularly. Click the bill title for the complete text and additional information. Questions? Contact Virginia NORML at
director@virginianorml.org or 804-464-7050 M-F 9-6.
http://www.vanorml.org/2018_legislation
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Virginia Action Alerts:
URGENT: Expand Patient Access to Medical Cannabis: Let Doctors Decide
http://norml.org/action-center/item/virginianorml-let-doctors-decide
Virginia: Expand State’s Medical Cannabis Law
http://norml.org/action-center/item/virginianorml-let-doctors-decide
Federal Priorities:
Priority: Tell Congress to Reject Jeff Session's Reversal of the Cole Memo
http://norml.org/action-center/item/jeff-sessions-is-targeting-the-cannabis-community-it-s-time-for-congress-to-step-in
MJ Justice: The Marijuana Justice Act of 2017 Introduced
http://norml.org/action-center/item/the-marijuana-justice-act-of-2017-introduced
Caucus: Tell Your Congressional Representative: Join the Cannabis Caucus
http://norml.org/action-center/item/tell-your-congressional-representative-join-the-cannabis-caucus
Jeff Sessions Is Targeting Marijuana – It’s Time For Congress To Step In
http://norml.org/action-center/item/jeff-sessions-is-targeting-the-cannabis-community-it-s-time-for-congress-to-step-in
Protect Our Progress: Bipartisan Leaders Reintroduce the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act
http://norml.org/action-center/item/federal-bipartisan-leaders-reintroduce-the-respect-state-marijuana-laws-act
Timely (Budget Process): Tell Your Elected Officials To Protect Lawful Medical Marijuana Programs From Attorney General Jeff Sessions
http://norml.org/action-center/item/federal-protect-lawful-medical-marijuana-programs