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Medical marijuana for epilepsy approved in Virginia

healthcareWork involving epilepsy family Tracie Thomas, Dr. Paul Lyons and the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia has led to Food and Drug Administration approval for compassionate use for the cannabis oil epidolex for three Virginia patients.

“I shall document the results for these three patients so we can contribute to more knowledge about the workings of epidolex, ” said Lyons. “We need more scientific evidence as to whether the drug works or not.”

Thomas is also very excited.

“May be this will work for my sweet hero Caleb after we have tried almost everything,” Thomas said.

The laws in Virginia on medical marijuana use are conflicting. THC, the component supposed to lead to euphoria, is legal with prescription for glaucoma and cancer, but one cannot grow or transport it.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia and Lyons, a Professional Advisory Board member, are trying to get the state to allow CBD oil to be available via individual expanded use. Making CBD available may prevent parents from making the expensive move to Colorado and also study the (presently not proven) efficacy of the oil for Lennox Gastaut and Dravet.

Once these studies show accepted medical use, these studies would be combined with a request that Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam convene a task force with the Virginia Departments of Health and law enforcers to agree on a rational set of rules.

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