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Rylie's Law to become law

Bill allows minors with seizures to use marijuana-based oils
June 11, 2015

With the Thursday, June 11, passage of Rylie’s Law through the House, children suffering from various forms of seizures will soon have access to medicine that was previously reserved only for adults.

The House voted unanimously in favor of the bill with 40 yes and one absent.

Rylie’s Law, Senate Bill 90, is named after Rylie Maedler, a 9-year-old from Rehoboth Beach. It would allow Delaware children under the age of 18 to use medical marijuana-based oils to treat intractable epilepsy and dystonia.

Immediately following the vote, Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, thanked his fellow House members.

"This is very important to this little girl right here," he said with Rylie standing proudly by his side.

The bill was introduced May 7 by Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and it sailed through the Senate by a unanimous 21-0 vote June 2.

Medical marijuana was legalized for adults in Delaware in 2011, during the 146th General Assembly. The state’s first dispensary, First State Compassion Center in Wilmington, is a expected to open Friday, June 26.

Delaware joins 12 other state where cannabidiol oil is permitted for medicinal purposes.

The legislation now moves onto the desk of Gov. Jack Markell for his signature.

Prior to the vote, Kelly Bachman, a spokeswoman for the governor, said there was no timetable for signing the bill if it passed through the House.

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