Families Look to Marijuana Oil as Seizure Treatment

Families who pushed for Alabama’s first medicinal marijuana law hope their children can start trying the potential seizure treatment sometime in early 2015.

Lawmakers funded a University of Alabama at Birmingham study to examine the use of the marijuana extract, to treat severe seizures.  The oil does not get the user high, but is rich in a compound parents believe could reduce seizures.

The parents of 3-year-old Carly Chandler, the Hoover girl who inspired the law, said the oil provides hope to families.   Carly can have up to 100 seizures each day.

A UAB spokesman said at one point more than 400 people had expressed interest in participating in the study.