JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Legislature today passed House Bill 2238, a measure that would provide access to treatment for individuals with intractable epilepsy.  State Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, carried the bill in the Senate, where it passed 32-0.  With minor technical changes from the Senate, the bill was sent back to the House, where it passed 136-12.

“I want to thank my wife Jaime, and my entire family for supporting me as this bill worked through the Legislature,” said Sen. Schmitt.  “This issue, of course, hits close to home for me, as my son, Stephen, has epilepsy and has daily seizures.  That we in the Legislature can do something to help Stephen and the tens of thousands of others suffering from epilepsy across the state truly means a great deal to me as a father.”

The bill allows individuals with epilepsy who have tried at least three other treatments that have not worked to access CBD oil that would be used to reduce seizures.  A nonprofit organization would grow the hemp crop and process it into an oil extract that would then be administered to individuals orally.  The treatment has been shown to result in a drastic reduction in the number of seizures experienced by individuals with epilepsy.

The Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture will have oversight functions to ensure the growth, processing and access to the hemp oil extract will be both efficient and lawful.  The Department of Health will set up a rigorous application process, whereby individuals must have a doctor’s recommendation for the treatment, and the department must then issue a hemp oil registration card for the individual or parent to access the extract.  The Department of Agriculture will set up requirements ensuring the nonprofit organization growing the crop will implement rigorous security measures and subject themselves to inspections by law enforcement.