Pubdate: Sat, 30 Aug 2014
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2014 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Vernon Ficken
Page: 7A

THE PROMISE OF CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) may help control seizures in some children. CBD is 
a nonintoxicating, refined whole plant product of a special marijuana 
species. It's low in THC, the intoxicating component of marijuana, 
but CBD is illegal in Oklahoma. State law needs to be changed, as 16 
states already have.

The incidence of children with a current diagnosis of a seizure 
disorder is conservatively about 6.3 per 1,000 in the U.S., or about 
5,900 in Oklahoma. With available medications, about half derive real 
benefit - with many suffering side effects, which can be severe. 
Judging from the extreme interest of parents with epileptic children 
who attended a recent lecture at Children's Hospital, all 5,900 sets 
of parents will be at their physician's doorstep the moment CBD 
becomes available.

To be sure, CBD isn't a panacea. But anecdotal reports are promising 
and indicate CBD has fewer side effects. Currently, 1,000 patients 
are waiting for CBD in Colorado. An interim legislative study is 
being conducted on CBD in Oklahoma. Given the need, this legislation 
should at least allow the following:

All qualified physicians may write prescriptions for CBD.

Prescription should be filled by a licensed pharmacy.

Pharmacies would be allowed to procure CBD from any qualified source.

Patient results must be submitted to appropriate state agency.

CBD availability would continue after the trial.

Vernon Ficken, Edmond
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom