Governor Abbott Signs Bill Authorizing Seizure-Reducing Treatment For Intractable Epilepsy Patients
Governor Greg Abbott today signed Senate Bill 339 (Eltife, R-Tyler; Klick, R-Fort Worth), which will allow individuals with intractable epilepsy (IE) to access cannabidiol (CBD oil) to reduce seizures.
“There is currently no cure for intractable epilepsy and many patients have had little to no success with currently approved drugs,” said Governor Abbott. “However, we have seen promising results from CBD oil testing and with the passage of this legislation, there is now hope for thousands of families who deal with the effects of intractable epilepsy every day.”
SB 339 authorizes the use of CBD oil only for patients with intractable epilepsy (IE), requires two certified specialists to approve the drug for a patient and requires DPS to regulate entities who meet the strict qualifications for manufacturing and dispensing CBD oil. IE afflicts an estimated 149,000 individuals in Texas, typically children, and patients with IE can suffer hundreds of seizures per week.