During the first week of May, Alabama made a new bill law that allows patients who suffer from qualifying serious medical conditions access to medical CBD oil.
The bill was passed by Governor Robert Bently, and it passed the Alabama House of Representatives 95 to 4 and the Senate 29 to 3. The new regulation is colloquially known as Leni’s Law, and was introduced by State Representative Mike Ball. It expands the 2015 CBD bill, which is known as Carly’s Law.
Medical CBD access in Alabama previously revolved around being accepted into a study overseen by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Only participants in this study were able to access CBD, as the government felt close scrutiny was necessary of such a new treatment. The problem with Carly’s Law was that many patients whose conditions should qualify could not get into the study, even if they had pushed for the bill in the first place.
This new law allows any patients with qualifying conditions to possess CBD oil, not only those who suffer the conditions and also were able to get into the study. The bill also allows patients to possess cannabidiol oil with up to three percent THC.
However, despite these expanded qualifications, there are some who still feel this law is not enough. It does not include cultivation or distribution through dispensaries, so families using the oil will still need to smuggle it in from out-of-state, effectively still keeping them as criminals.
Still, this means a lot more access to medicine for sick children and patients, and will certainly make a big difference in the lives of those who will gain access.
“We are incredibly grateful to the state of Alabama for giving families like our the opportunity to find relief from life-altering and debilitating conditions, and hope for a better quality of life,” Amy Young, mother of Leni, whom the law is named for, stated.
This law represents the step that many states are now taking towards legalization and fair access. As the outcry for fair cannabis laws grows, more and more patient access will surely be granted.
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