Students in Virginia who use cannabidiol (CBD) oil could soon be granted the privilege of using this extracted form of non-psychotropic cannabis on school grounds, minus the risk of being expelled or suspended.

Following a unanimous vote by the Senate, legislation to safeguard student cannabis consumers in Virginia is currently moving through the House. Sponsored by Sen. Glen Sturtevant and R-Richmond, Virginia’s cannabis bill SB632 requires school boards to initiate particular policies that prevent students from being punished for using CBD and THC-A oil.

Based on the details of SB632, so long as students are able to present a “valid written certification” that they have legally obtained from a licensed doctor or healthcare practitioner, they can use both CBD and THC-A oils.

Neither of these cannabis compounds produces psychotropic effects. Notwithstanding, their medical benefits are tough to rival, with CBD and THC-A oils being used to treat an assortment of illnesses and conditions.

In addition to providing written consent, parents must inform teachers of the reasons why their child was prescribed the cannabis oil. Teachers must be informed of the authorized dosage amount, as well as how and when the oil must be administered.

CBD and THC-A oils are increasing in popularity

With cannabis legalization spreading like wildfire across the United States, not to mention the growing stack of positive scientific evidence pertaining to pot, it’s not surprising that patients in Virginia are turning to natural treatments as an alternative to traditional medications.

Doctors and nurses in Virginia have been given the go-ahead to prescribe weed-based products for a variety of ailments and conditions, from seizures and attention disorders to anxiety and chronic pain.

Pharmaceutical companies have also been granted approval from the Board of Pharmacy to launch five cannabis dispensaries statewide. Inside Virginia’s medical cannabis dispensaries, authorized patients can purchase the highest quality CBD and THC-A oils.

As many as 10 medical cannabis dispensaries could have been opening their doors across Virginia, had the “Old Dominion” State’s legislators passed – rather than shot down – a bill to double the number of dispensaries just a fortnight ago.

Two other medical cannabis bills just cleared the state legislature

Recently, Virginia State legislature cleared two other medical cannabis-related bills. Each bill passed with an impressive vote of 98-0.

One of those cannabis bills was SB 1557, which is sponsored by Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico.

The bill focuses on increasing the amount of cannabis’ psychoactive compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) contained in a CBD or THC-A dose from the currently permitted amount – five milligrams – to 10 mg.

Bill SB 1557 will also see the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry provide recommendations on how the state medical cannabis program will be overseen and regulated.

Then there’s SB1719. Sponsored by Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax, the third cannabis bill in Virginia to gain approval in recent times will grant patients the privilege of using CBD or THC-A oils. Those oils will have been collected on their behalf by a registered agent. However, there will be patient cap on the number of individuals that an agent can represent.