Movement To Legalize Marijuana-Based Oil In Wisconsin Gets Boost From Congress

Families in Wisconsin with children suffering from a rare seizure disorder are applauding a piece of federal legislation passed last week. The new law prevents the Department of Justice from arresting people for using an oil made from the marijuana plant to treat the illness.

Cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD oil, has been found effective in treating some forms of epilepsy. Wisconsin legislators are backing a state bill that would legalize its use for medical purposes. But because the oil contains a small amount of the psychoactive agent THC, it’s banned by federal law. Paige Figi of the Coalition for Access Now said defunding federal enforcement of the ban on possession is a small step towards full legalization of the oil.

“There’s no side effects. It’s not smoked. There’s no chance of diversion, and people aren’t worried about black market abuse of what we are asking for this tiny little access for very sick people,” Figi said.

During a hearing on the Wisconsin bill to legalize the oil, Wausau Republican Rep. David Heaton raised concerns about the oil being cooked down to extract a concentrated form of THC that could be used to create an illegal drug that could be snorted or injected. But bill co-sponsor Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said because there’s such a small amount of THC in the oil, such a process wouldn’t be economically feasible.

“You could probably get it,” said Wanggaard. “But it would cost you a hundred thousand dollars to do that when you can just go buy the marijuana on the street for five bucks.”

He said he knew of no way the oil could be misused to get high.

Paige Figi with the Coalition for Access Now said Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan is one of several congressmen backing a bill that would remove the oil from the federal list of illegal Schedule 1 drugs.

Still there has been very little research done on CBD oil’s effectiveness in treating seizures. The success stories are so far only anecdotal.

Because it’s derived from marijuana, there are tight federal restrictions on obtaining enough of it to carry out comprehensive medical research.