Richmond, VA--Virginia lawmakers are considering changes to a hemp regulation bill that could negatively affect the supply of CBD oil for some epileptic patients.
[Image via Virginia Mecury]
In 2015, Virginia passed a law that permitted families to possess cannabis-derived CBD oils for medical use without fear of prosecution. The law initially only applied to CBD products obtained to prevent or reduce seizures and included limits on THC, the intoxicating compound found in cannabis plants. Lisa Smith, a mother who was part of the push to legalize CBD oil, says the recently passed hemp regulation bill could undo the benefits it provided to families like hers. The CBD oil she receives from a Colorado-based company contains more THC than the proposed law allows.
The legislation is awaiting action from Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Lawmakers sponsoring the hemp bill are considering amendments to address Smith's concerns, including a possible carveout for CBD products with high-CBD, low-THC ratios. This would cover products unlikely to produce a high from a standard dose. The hemp legislation aims to tackle unregulated hemp-derived products, like delta-8, which contain enough THC to have intoxicating effects but are not technically marijuana.
Gov. Youngkin has until Monday to sign, veto, or recommend changes to the hemp bill.
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