Children in Delaware with severe epilepsy will soon have access to a derivative of medical marijuana.
Gov. Jack Markell (D-Delaware) signed the legislation Tuesday after its was passed unanimously by both chambers earlier this year.
It allows those under 18-years-old or their parents to buy medical marijuana oil in low concentrations that doesn’t get the user high like conventional pot.
Sen. Ernie Lopez (R-Lewes) sponsored the bill after learning of 9-year-old Rylie Maedler’s epileptic condition where general treatment didn’t work.
“It’s helping not just children like Rylie, but helping future generations of children to make sure that Delaware continues to be first in providing the best in medical care for our children across the state,” said Lopez.
Delaware’s first medical marijuana dispensary opens this week, but it won’t immediately have oil products for children available.
Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf says it will take some time for that dispensary to start producing the oil.
“They’ll cultivate from seed, so she will not be able to access the medicine until October because we do need a special strain that can cultivate that oil for a child,” said Langraf.
That first state dispensary is outside of Wilmington and will open its doorsto the public Friday.
