North Carolina Medical Cannabis Bill Passes Legislature, Goes to Governor
Earlier today North Carolina’s Senate – in a unanimous vote – approved House Bill 1220, a measure to legalize medical
cannabis oil for those with seizure disorders. The bill, which passed the full House last Thursday with an 111 to 2 vote, needed to go back to the House for one final vote (for concurrence). Just hours after the Senate vote, the House has given final approval to the bill, which now goes to Governor Pat McCrory. McCrory can either sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without his signature, or veto it.
If the proposal is signed into law, or allowed to become law, those with seizure disorders who receive a recommendation from a neurologist, and register with the state’s Department of Health, will be authorize to possess and use low-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), high-CBD (cannabidiol) cannabis oil. Neurologists will be allowed to distribute the medicine, and colleges will be allowed to study its potential in treating intractable childhood epilepsy.
Many advocates of medical cannabis feel the bill doesn’t go nearly far enough, and rightly so, but the move will help some, and it’s yet another state admitting that cannabis does have medical value.
– TheJointBlog