The Senate State Affairs Committee this morning unanimously endorsed legislation authorizing a clinical trial in Idaho that also would allow up to 25 Idaho children with intractable epilepsy to be treated with a new British-made experimental drug that contains extracts related to cannabis. Dr. Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist, said those children could access the drug through a “compassionate use” program authorized by the FDA, and all would get the treatment, not a placebo, like some participants in the trial itself. SB 1156 won unanimous support from the panel and now heads to the full Senate.

Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, asked to withdraw another measure he proposed, SB 1167, to legalize hemp extract for treating the same conditions; he said there were problems with the bill. Another measure, SB 1146a, sponsored by State Affairs Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, that would provide a defense for parents who had cannabidiol oil to treat their severely ill children with epilepsy, has been amended and is on the 2^nd Reading Calendar in the Senate.