RICHMOND, Va. -- A proposed bill that would legalize medical marijuana oil passed the senate Tuesday, and it's now headed to Gov. Terry McAuliffe to become law.
The bill is meant to make it easier for Virginians with severe cases of epilepsy, obtain marijuana oil for treatment.
Nichole Miller's daughter, Sophia first started having seizures at nine months old. She was eventually diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a form of epilepsy.
Sophia
To help with the seizures, last July Miller started giving her daughter CBD oil, which is also known as marijuana oil.
"She was in the ER every two weeks or less, now it's every two to three months, so a huge significance," she said.
Like other families that deal with similar situations, Nichole is in favor of a bill that would allow therapeutic marijuana oil to be produced in Virginia.
"It's very crucial for us not to be breaking any State and Federal laws by buying," said Miller.
Along with helping her seizures, Miller said the medication has helped Sophia's cognitive skills. She's now able to count to 20 and say the alphabet.
"For her to be able to have access to a medication that works like this and limits her risk of death significantly, that's huge, it's life saving," said Miller.
According to the Washington Post, Sen. Mark Obenshain had reportedly warned senators before the vote in February that passage would bring Virginia “one step closer” to legalizing marijuana.
