STATEHOUSE (Aug. 15, 2017) — The Indiana State Department of Health recently established a registry of Hoosiers with treatment-resistant epilepsy who can use cannabidiol oil as a treatment option, according to State Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy).
Friend authored a new law this year that allows a person to possess CBD oil if they or someone in their care have been diagnosed with severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy and meet other certain conditions. Friend said CBD oil is a compound refined from industrial hemp that has a wide scope of medical applications, including the control of epileptic seizures.
“This has been a long process, and I am grateful that we were able to get it right this year so Hoosiers who need it can access CBD oil,” Friend said. “Over the last few years, I’ve heard from desperate families across the state who have been seeking relief for their sick children after utilizing a variety of traditional treatment options without success. CBD oil has shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of epilepsy when others have failed, and I think this is an option that Hoosiers, especially children, deserve to have.”
Friend said CBD oil has extremely low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, so it cannot be used as a recreational drug. This law does not legalize marijuana or medical marijuana in any form.
In order to qualify for the registry, individuals must be a patient or caregiver; provide proof of Indiana residency; provide a certified statement by an Indiana-licensed physician certified in neurology that the patient or a patient in the care of the caregiver has been examined and diagnosed by the physicians to have treatment-resistant epilepsy; complete an application; and pay a $50 registration fee.
To find out more information or to fill out an application, visit www.in.gov/isdh and click on “Cannabidiol Registry” under the “Consumers” tab or contact ISDH at 844-624-6667 or cannabidiolregistry@isdh.in.gov.
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Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
A high-resolution photo of Friend can be downloaded by clicking here.
