Cannabidiol OK shows care

The Texas Legislature gave marijuana more than a dismissive thought this session.

Cannabidiol, a therapeutic extract that acts as an anti-spasmodic, was legalized in a Senate bill carried and supported by some of the Legislature’s most conservative lawmakers, including House sponsor Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth.

Under the bill, the Texas Department of Public Safety will license at least three compounding dispensaries to fill prescriptions from neurologists.

The extract is considered a leading treatment to ease repeated seizures in patients suffering from intractable epilepsy or Dravet syndrome, which mostly affects children and can trigger up to 100 seizures a day.

Some families had moved to other states to seek treatment and ease children’s seizures.

Cannabidiol is not to be confused with the better-known tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the extract more commonly used in marijuana products such as edibles.

A bill legalizing marijuana in Texas was actually debated and won approval in a House committee, but never made it to the floor for a vote.

Klick and lawmakers deserve praise for giving the entire topic fair and thorough consideration. Their approval showed both care and compassion for children who are in need of relief.

This story was originally published June 2, 2015 at 5:48 PM.