Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Continuing his fight to help families with children suffering from debilitating forms of epilepsy, Congressman Scott Perry joined with Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) to reintroduce the Charlotte's Web Medical Access Act of 2017. This proposal ensures that children and individuals with epilepsy and other seizure disorders have access to life-changing Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil and therapeutic hemp.
 
“Several local families in our District have children who suffer from severe epilepsy,” said Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA). “As a parent, my nightmare would be to learn that I'm essentially out of options, with no significant way to help my child. These families live this nightmare every day. Their heartbreaking situations compelled me to create access to a supplement that literally has changed lives – in the form of relief not only for the person suffering, but also for his/her loved ones. While Pennsylvania has acted to ensure access to the Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil that has helped so many, we must act on the federal level to ensure that every person needing it is able to access this care. I appreciate Senator Gardner’s teamwork on this issue and look forward to working together to getting this bill across the finish line."
 
Late last year, Pennsylvania authorized the use of CBD oil as part of a larger proposal to authorize the use of medical marijuana. Although the state has approved the measure, access to CBD oil remains restrictive because of federal laws.
 
“I still disagree with the recreational use of marijuana; however, these children and individuals like them deserve a chance to lead a healthy and productive life, and our government shouldn't stand in the way. My proposal is a narrow way to ensure that these kids get the help they need,” Perry continued.
 
CBD oil has been shown to reduce the amount and duration of seizures in children suffering from epilepsy and other seizure disorders. This legislation would enable individuals access to this potentially life-saving supplement without having to split up families geographically in order to receive treatment.
 
“This bipartisan, commonsense legislation would provide greater access to life-saving treatment for Americans suffering from epilepsy,” said Senator Cory Gardner. “Coloradans know how effective cannabidiol can be and have seen how it changes lives and helps children and adults cope with this serious illness. It is time to make this treatment available across the country and I look forward to working across the aisle to ensure this legislation becomes law and bring relief to American families.”
 
This legislation removes CBD oil and therapeutic hemp from the federal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act, as an incremental approach to providing relief to those suffering from ailments that could benefit from CBD oil and therapeutic hemp. The proposal does not legalize all forms of marijuana for medical use. Therapeutic hemp is defined as having no more than .3% THC, which means it has no hallucinogenic effects of traditional marijuana.
 
After being introduced this week, the bill will go to the House Energy and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. If it is voted out of committee, it then moves to the full House for consideration.
 
Currently, more than 300,000 children in American suffer from some form of epilepsy. Many of these children experience more than 100 violent seizures a day- any one of which could be fatal without proper care.