The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1148, sponsored by Sen. Head and Sen. Doriot, on cannabidiol. The bill was amended by consent to define cannabidiol and establish a cannabidiol registry for certain physicians, nurses, individuals, and caregivers for the use of cannabidiol in the treatment of a person with treatment resistant epilepsy. The amendment also establishes a pilot study registry for physicians who want to study the use of cannabidiol in the treatment of treatment resistant epilepsy, requires the state department of health to develop and maintain both registries, provides civil, criminal, and administrative immunity for physicians and nurses in the use of cannabidiol in the treatment of treatment resistant epilepsy if certain requirements are met, exempts physicians, caregivers, nurses and individuals from criminal penalties for possession or use of cannabidiol under certain conditions, permits a pharmacy to dispense cannabidiol subject to specific requirements, and encourages state educational institutions to research the use of cannabidiol in the treatment of other treatment resistant diseases.
Several members of the public testified in support of the amended bill. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council testified in opposition to the amendment. The amended bill passed 7-2.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/house/1148