Parent Power Propels Medical Marijuana Bill

Parents of children with epilepsy are rejoicing today.  State lawmakers had passed a bill making it legal for their kids to use a derivative of the marijuana plant to prevent seizures, but there was no legal way to get it.  Senate Bill 701 would establish a means for making and distributing cannabidiol in Virginia, but last week the chairman of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee refused to allow a vote on the measure.  Over the weekend, three moms gathered 93 signatures in Mark Obenshain's district in support of the bill, presenting the petition to him this morning.  This afternoon he allowed the panel to vote.  Twelve members, including sponsor David Marsden, were in favor. Obenshain and Bryce Reeves opposed the legislation, and Senator Tommy Norment abstained.  It now goes to the full senate for a vote.