Law Allowing Marijuana-Derived Oil Spurs Indiana Crackdown

IL for www.theidianalawyer.com

A new Indiana law that allows people with certain types of epilepsy to use a marijuana-derived oil for treatment has spurred a statewide crackdown, making it more difficult for those seeking the product to obtain it.

Lawmakers passed legislation in April allowing certain patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy to use cannabidiol. The substance, also known as CBD, can’t get a person high. The law requires the products to contain less than 0.3 percent of THC, the active ingredient of cannabis.

Studies suggest that compounds in CBD products can help lessen the severity of seizures. Many parents of children who have treatment-resistant epilepsy testified in support during legislative hearings.

Data from State Excise Police show the agency confiscated more than 3,000 CBD products from nearly 60 stores during a five-week span after the law was passed, but abruptly halted those raids in late June after concerns over the legality of the busts surfaced, the Indianapolis Star reported .

Lawmakers and state officials now can’t agree on whether the substance is legal in Indiana.

An email that the newspaper obtained through a public records request shows that an excise police commander believed the law indicated they could begin confiscating the product if it wasn’t being used for treating epilepsy.

Some lawmakers and state police officers say CBD was already legal because of a 2014 law that removed industrial hemp products from the state’s controlled substance.

“All we said was desperate parents that were seeking treatment would be free from prosecution,” said Rep. Bill Friend, R-Macy, who carried the bill in the House. “So the law is really silent on the legality.”

Advocates of the law who use CBD products to treat their children’s seizures were upset about the confiscations. They hoped the law would allow people with epilepsy to use the product without fear of prosecution rather than make it more challenging for those with health issues to obtain CBD oil.

“That’s what makes you feel awful. You feel like you worked so hard to try to do something for people,” said Brandy Barrett, who has a 10-year-old son with severe epilepsy. “I even heard from a few people that our legislation had messed it up for everybody, and that obviously wasn’t our intent.”

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is reviewing the matter and plans to issue a formal opinion on the legality of CBD products.

Ivy Tech Community College Evansville is announcing several individuals who have accepted new roles within the college. They include:

Kelly Cozart — vice chancellor for academic affairs. Over the past three years, Cozart served as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. Prior to that, she served as interim vice chancellor. Cozart began her career at the College as an adjunct faculty member and became chair of Interior Design Program in 2003. She has a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Illinois, a Master of Arts degree in art history from Indiana State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate in post-secondary educational leadership at Indiana State University. Cozart’s appointment will begin September 16.

Deb Anderson — vice chancellor for student success. Anderson began her career with the Evansville campus in June of 2006 as director of student success and retention.  Since 2007, she has served in various student affairs leadership roles. Anderson holds bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Arts/Italian and has a master’s degree in education from the University of Kansas. She is currently a doctoral candidate in post-secondary educational leadership at Indiana State University. Anderson’s appointment will begin September 16.

Denise Johnson-Kincaid — vice chancellor for enrollment services. Johnson-Kincaid began her career at the College as an admissions counselor/outreach coordinator in 1994. In 2003, she became assistant director of admissions and moved on to director of admissions in 2006. Since then, she has held various titles including her most recent as director of express enrollment and admissions as well as diversity officer. Johnson-Kincaid will continue her direct oversight of express enrollment and admissions while serving as vice chancellor. Johnson-Kincaid holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Murray State University and a master’s degree in human resources and organizational development from Indiana State University. Johnson-Kincaid’s appointment will begin September 16.

Erica Schmidt — executive director of resource development. Schmidt holds a Master of Arts degree in communication and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication studies from the University of Southern Indiana; and is currently studying fundraising management with the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Schmidt began her career with Ivy Tech in 2014, and became interim executive director of resource development in January of this year. In addition to her current director position, she has worked as an adjunct instructor in communication at the University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech. Schmidt assumed her new role on August 16.