Governor McCrory Signs Legislation Allowing Hemp Oil Extract Treatment

Press Release

A rare treatment that includes cannabidiol oil from hemp plants to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, which is particularly prevalent in children, will now be available in clinical trials in North Carolina thanks to legislation signed into law today by Governor Pat McCrory.

"For some children, this treatment is the only relief they can get from debilitating seizures," said Governor McCrory. "Additionally, provisions in this law will lead to clinical research at our universities that could help in the development of new and more widely accessible therapies."

Haley Ward, age 5, was among the child patients in attendance at the signing of House Bill 1220. She was the namesake for the "Hope 4 Haley and Friends" legislation as it went through the General Assembly. Also in attendance were Representatives Marilyn Avila, Pat McElraft and Becky Carney, who along with Representative Dr. Jim Fulghum (who was not in attendance), were the primary sponsors of the legislation.

Under the provisions of the new law, medical professionals are now able to conduct evidence-based studies exploring the safety and efficacy of treating intractable epilepsy with the hemp plant oil extract. Neurologists affiliated with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke, East Carolina and Wake Forest universities are specifically encouraged to undertake the studies in the new law.

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