A bill to allow for the medical use of cannabidiol (CBD) has been approved by Indiana’s House and Senate.

CBD tincture.

The Senate gave approval to Senate Bill 15 back in February with an 108 to 32 vote. Today, it was passed by the full House of Representatives with a unanimous 95 to 0 vote. Given it was amended slightly in the House, it will need to go back to the Senate for one final vote before it can be sent to Governor Eric Holcomb for consideration.

The proposed law allows “Cannabidiol for the treatment of epilepsy”. It “Defines “cannabidiol” and provides an affirmative defense to possession of cannabidiol if the person or the person’s child has been diagnosed with certain medical conditions, the cannabidiol contains not more than 0.3% THC and at least 10% cannabidiol, and other specified conditions are met.” In addition, it provides “civil immunity for a health care provider if the patient who possesses the cannabidiol is a part of a clinical trial.”

The law is extremely limited in that it only allows CBD for epilepsy, doesn’t allow it to be distributed legally and only provides an affirmative defense rather than a rock-solid legal protection. Still, many see it as a step in the right direction, and the start to what will eventually be more meaningful reform.

Click here for the full text of Senate Bill 15.