The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Tomes’ SB 15 establishing a hemp oil registry for the treatment of epilepsy. The registry would be established for certain physicians, individuals, and caregivers for the use of hemp oil in the treatment of a child with intractable epilepsy. It also establishes a pilot study registry for physicians who want to study the use of hemp oil in the treatment of intractable epilepsy. The State Department of Health (State Department) would develop and maintain both registries. The bill also provides civil, criminal, and administrative immunity for physicians in the use of hemp oil in the treatment of intractable epilepsy if certain requirements are met. It exempts caregivers and individuals from criminal penalties for possession or use of hemp oil if the caregivers and individuals are registered with the State Department and are using the hemp oil for the individual and in the manner approved for registration.
Testimony was heard in favor of the bill from multiple professors and families with children affected by epilepsy. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified that they neither support nor oppose the bill, but want to make sure that the hemp oil is properly regulated and safe. Chair R. Michael Young created a subcommittee to study the issues of this bill, and held the bill for the subcommittee’s input and amendments.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/15.