QUAD CITIES - The Epilepsy Foundation announces Illinois Epilepsy Awareness Day on May 14, 2014. Individuals with epilepsy, parents of children with epilepsy, and supporting family members and friends will join with representatives of the Epilepsy Foundation throughout the state to meet with Illinois State Representatives at the statehouse in Springfield. Discussed will be issues relevant to those living with Epilepsy including the support of Illinois Senate Bill 2636. The bill, which adds seizure conditions, including those characteristic of epilepsy, to the list of qualifying medical conditions in Illinois' Medical Cannabis Program was passed by the Illinois Senate by a vote of 49-5 on April 2, 2014. The bill has been sent to the House for approval.
The Iowa Senate just recently voted 36-12 to approve their Senate File 2360. The bill creates a licensing system for patients with "intractable" epilepsy and their caregivers to pursue treatment with cannabidiol, an oil derived from marijuana. Patients or their caregivers who receive a neurologist's recommendation for cannabidiol would be able to apply for a state-issued identification card allowing them to possess and use the oil without fear of prosecution under state marijuana laws. That bill has been sent to the Iowa House for approval.
The Epilepsy Foundation's national office issued a press release on 2.20.2014 calling for increased medical marijuana access and research:
- 1 in 26 have or will have epilepsy at some point in their lives - that means over 14,700 people in the Quad Cities Metro Area currently have or will develop epilepsy, a neurological condition that include recurring seizures.
- Approximately 1/3 of those will live with uncontrolled seizures.
- People living with uncontrolled seizures live with the continual risk of serious injury and loss of life.
- Illinois has a law that lists 35 other conditions for which medical marijuana may be prescribed.
- Unlike 18 of the other 20 states that permit the use of medical marijuana, epilepsy is not included in the conditions for which marijuana may be prescribed under Illinois law.
- In vitro and in vivo evidence exists of the impact that cannabidiol ("CBD") can have on seizures, as well as anecdotal human evidence.
- For epilepsy, the useful form of marijuana is an oil; it is not smoked.
- It is high in CBD and low in THC, the hallucinogenic component of marijuana.
- There is no alternative recreational use for this form of marijuana; it is formulated to treat seizures.
- It is appropriate to allow patients, parents and physicians the ability to determine collectively if the compassionate use of medical marijuana is reasonable in each individual epilepsy case, including intractable pediatric cases.
- Illinois residents suffering from seizures should be afforded the same benefits available to those suffering from any of the 35 conditions included in the Illinois medical marijuana law.
- Illinois families shouldn't have to split up and move out of state in order to gain access to a viable treatment for intractable seizures.
- Senate Bill SB2636 Adds "Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy" to the list of qualifying conditions.
- Senate Bill SB2636 also adds pediatric patients, under the age of 18, suffering from "Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy" as qualifying patients.
For more information contact the Epilepsy Foundation - Quad Cities at 309.373.0377 or email to efqc@efncil.org.
Epilepsy affects 65 million people worldwide. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the U.S. after migraine, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Its prevalence is greater than autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease combined. 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime: that translates to over 14,700 individuals in our Quad Cities region.
Epilepsy Foundation - Quad Cities OfficeUnityPoint Health - Trinity / 4th Floor North
2701 - 17th St., Rock Island, IL 61201
309.373.0377 / efqc@efncil.org
