Legalization Of Marijuana Oil Resurfaces In State Legislature

Wisconsin lawmakers are reviving a proposal that would legalize an oil derived from marijuana plants.

The proposal would increase access to cannabidiol, also known as CBD oil, by making changes to the state law that governs the oil, which has been used to treat medical conditions including seizure disorders in children.

In 2014, lawmakers passed a bill named Lydia’s Law, which made the oil available to certain populations. However, some patients have said it’s difficult to access the oil because current law requires FDA approval for prescriptions.

The new proposal would make it legal for people to possess the oil in Wisconsin, as long as a doctor has signed off on it.

“Wisconsin needs to fix this mistake,” said Sally Schaeffer, whose daughter was the namesake of Lydia’s Law. “No smoke and mirrors any more, no loopholes. We need to fix it. Give people what you promised to them three years ago when Lydia’s Law was enacted.”

Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, echoed those sentiments.

“Unfortunately, despite the Legislature’s best intentions, we’ve found Lydia’s Law to be ineffective,” he said.

Lydia passed away shortly after the 2014 legislation was signed.

Wanggaard, who is co-sponsoring the legislation with Rep. Scott Krug, R-Nekoosa, stressed the bill would not legalize the manufacture or sale of CBD oil in Wisconsin, but simply prevent prosecution of possessing it.

Similar legislation led to a dramatic end to last year’s legislative session.

Since then, legislators who opposed that bill have said they are on board with the new proposal.

The bill is scheduled for a Senate committee vote Thursday.