New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is moving forward with his limited, clinically-based medical marijuana program, announcing Sunday that the state has paired with a British firm to study the efficacy of CBD-related treatments for children.
Cuomo signed the agreement Sunday, allowing GW Pharmaceuticals to create a medical marijuana clinical trial for those under the age of 18 for the state to run. The study will test Epiolex, a pharmaceutical drug that contains extracted CBD, on children suffering from conditions like Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut.
The program will be run by the state health department, but will need to get the approval of the federal Food and Drug Administration, which at least on New York official close to the program say they will receive with no issues.
But is the timing on the announcement going to derail a more expansive medical cannabis bill that is currently before the state Senate? Possibly. As we mentioned yesterday, the Republican-controlled Senate isn’t very keen on passing the bill or even getting on the floor for a discussion. That bill would allow for medical cannabis for all ages with a doctor’s recommendation. Those under 21 would not be able to smoke their cannabis, and would have to use vaporizers or edible forms.
