Virginia: "One small step for a man . . . ."

Okay, it's a fairly small advance.  But I still take it as encouraging that Virginia's House of Delegates this week unanimously approved use of CBD oil to fight epilepsy:

    Virginia’s Republican-dominated House of Delegates voted Tuesday for a bill that would protect users of a form of medical marijuana from state prosecution.

    The legislation, which passed 98-0, would allow the use of two oils extracted from marijuana that lack the plant’s intoxicating properties but help alleviate debilitating seizures. The bill provides a way for epileptics or their legal guardians to avoid prosecution for possession of cannabidiol oil (also known as CBD) and THC-A oil.

    “You can’t get high from it,” said David Albo (R-Fairfax), who sponsored the House bill.

    The legislation has been pushed by parents of children with epilepsy, who they say their children could be helped by the oils.

    The bill now moves to the Senate, which has already approved similar legislation sponsored by Sen. David W. Marsden (D-Fairfax). Gov. Terry McAuliffe supports the bills, spokesman Brian Coy has said.

    Virginia legalized medical marijuana in 1979, but that law requires “a valid prescription” — something doctors cannot legally provide so long as marijuana is federally restricted.

CBD oil bills, of course, benefit only a very small slice of all those who suffer and might get benefit.  But one sometimes has to eat an elephant one bite at a time.  And if only one kid is saved from these seizures under the bill, it's a net gain.