Hemp Extract Bill Passes House

The Wyoming House of Representatives has passed a bill that would legalize hemp extract to treat a form of epilepsy.

But even though hemp is similar to the plant used to produce marijuana (it contains much less THC, the psychoactive ingredient in pot), supporters emphasize the legislation isn't a medical marijuana bill.

Some researchers say hemp extract oil, which contains only a tiny amount of THC, is an effective treatment for "intractable" epilepsy, which has defied more conventional treatments.

Supporters of the legislation say it is tightly crafted to apply only to epilepsy patients who meet the criteria and have been examined by a neurologist. They say it's wrong to deny effective medical treatment to epilepsy victims simply because it comes from a cannabis plant.

Opponents argue  the supposed medical benefits of the extract are controversial at best, and say hemp is something of a gray area in terms of legality because of it's similarity to marijuana.

The House on Tuesday turned back an amendment to allow a year to study the issue and then approved the bill on a 53-7 vote. It now moves on to the state Senate.