FIVE FACTS:

• An updated version of “Carly’s Law” would legalize the use of cannabidiol (CBD) to treat neurological and epileptic disorders and fund research at UAB.
• CBD is an oil derived from marijuana that has no ability to get anyone “high”
• CBD has proven to be an effective treatment to control epilepsy and other neurological disorders
• Carly’s Law does not in any way legalize marijuana, even for medicinal purposes
• Carly’s Law is garnering bi-partisan support in Alabama’s legislature

Supporters of Carly’s Law, a bill that would legalize a new treatment method for children with serious neurological and epileptic disorders, flooded the State House late last week in hopes of seeing their bill pass.

They were disappointed when it didn’t even come up for a vote, and some expressed concerns that, with only a handful of legislative days remaining in 2014, the legislature wouldn’t bring it up at all this year. What they didn’t know was that a small group of legislators was actually working behind the scenes to craft a bill that would far exceed their initial expectations.

House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, floated the idea of transforming Carly’s Law from a bill to simply legalize a treatment into a bonafide research issue in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB and Hubbard’s colleagues in the legislature jumped at the idea and began crafting an updated version of the bill.

The sponsors of Carly’s Law announced the breakthrough development in a press conference at the Ala. State House on Tuesday.

Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, and Reps. Mike Ball, R-Madison and Allen Farley, R-McCalla, said they have worked to develop a partnership with researchers in UAB’s Department of Neurology to study cannabidiol, or CBD oil. The treatment would be available through the University to individuals diagnosed with severe epilepsy and neurological disorders that lead to serious and life-threatening seizures. Lawmakers plan to fund the study through a $1 million appropriation in the Education Trust Fund budget to UAB’s Department of Neurology.

David Standaert, M.D., chair of the Department of Neurology says UAB maintains a leading role in safeguarding the public health of the residents of Alabama through a special responsibility to provide access to cutting edge treatments and therapies that are not available elsewhere, and that UAB will continue to work in partnership with other neurologists across the state to provide the best possible medical care for all Alabamians.

“There is growing evidence from a number of scientific studies that cannabidiol is an effective treatment to control epilepsy and other neurological disorders that produce serious, debilitating, or life-threatening seizures,” Standaert said. “ In some cases, seizures can be controlled with other medications, and some patients are candidates for curative surgery, but there are still cases that are difficult to control by any existing therapy. UAB will undertake research into the mechanisms underlying cannabidiol to learn more about its function and effect on seizures. This research will be invaluable in the search for ways to prevent seizures, or minimize their effects.”

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In addition to establishing the medical study with the UAB Department of Neurology, the revised version of the bill establishes the Department as the only entity authorized to prescribe or treat individuals with epileptic conditions using CBD.

Additionally, the proposal prohibits the prosecution of an individual who has a debilitating epileptic condition, or the parent of a child who has a debilitating epileptic condition, for being in possession of CBD oil as long as the individual has an authorized prescription from UAB.

Sen. Sanford, the bill’s Senate sponsor, said the latest development will ensure much-needed access to the drug in a way that contributes to the long-term study of its effectiveness.

“I see this as a win-win for both those who desperately need a better way to treat debilitating seizures and the medical community who can gain valuable insight through further study of the drug,” Sanford said.

Rep. Ball, the bill’s House sponsor, emphasized the impact the strengthened bill will have on Alabama children.

“I’m proud to play even a small part in bringing relief and comfort to a group of Alabamians that can’t speak for themselves,” Ball said. “Regardless of whether this research helps one child or hundreds of children we are giving Alabama families a chance at a better future.”

“Families no longer have to travel long distances or worry about prosecution simply because they were trying to make things better for their children,” added Rep. Farley, a House co-sponsor . “Carly Chandler and the Chandler family have been an inspiration to all of us, and I’m honored to help carry this bill in the House.”

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