Cannabis oil regulatory process moving, just slowly

The process of getting cannabis oil ready for treatment of seizures in children with a form of epilepsy is expected to gain momentum next month, a research official at the University of Mississippi said.

The Legislature passed Harper Grace’s Law last year, and it was signed into law by Gov. Phil Bryant.

The bill was named for Harper Grace Durval, a then-2-year-old Mississippi girl who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome.

The law, which went into effect July 1, said the oil would only be dispensed at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and UMMC would be responsible for gaining federal approval for its use.

UMMC said its National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy has been approved to grow the particular strain, but regulatory requirements are still being met.

Larry Walker, director of the National Center for Natural Products Research, said the new funding year begins in March for the center, and he expects that will accelerate the process.

“I fully expect cannabis oil to be ready for patient use this year,” Walker said. “We had a good growth season.”

“I know people want it to be sooner, but there is no problem, it is moving,” Walker said. “ It’s going to happen. I feel the urgency, too.”

Once the National Center for Natural Products Research completes its part, UMMC will conduct clinical trials.

The oil is extracted from cannabis and is orally administered, not smoked, according to UMMC.

Sen. Josh Harkins of Flowood, who crafted the bill, said the goal is to pave the way for physicians in Mississippi to prescribe the preparation to children like Durval. “This is a big step toward eventually providing relief for Mississippi children suffering from epilepsy.”

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at (601) 961-7212 or jgates@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @jgatesnews on Twitter.