Legislation allowing a marijuana derivative to be used to treat severe epileptic seizures won unanimous approval Tuesday night in the Alabama Senate. It authorizes the University of Alabama at Birmingham to do research on the use of Cannabidoil, or CBD oil, to treat severe seizures. The bill now goes to the House where its sponsor, state Representative Mike Hall said passing any legislation involving marijuana is a challenge. The bill is known as Carly's Law because of the work by Carly Chandler's family to pass it.
ASU Funding
Alabama State University could soon see its funding restored by the legislative budget committee. The House Ways and Means Education Committee will consider a new spending plan today that restores millions of dollars that were cut from the university's budget. The education budget passed by the state Senate for the upcoming school year would cut ASU by more than $10 million dollars or a quarter of the amount it got this year. ASU President Gwendolyn Boyd has criticized the cut as blatantly unfair.
Healthcare Signup
Federal officials report that more than 55,000 Alabamians have selected a health insurance plan through the federal facilitated health insurance exchange. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that 55,034 Alabamians registered between the opening of enrollment October 1st and the end of February. Of those who signed up in Alabama, 59 percent are women.
Trial Moved
A judge in Lowndes County has approved a request from defense lawyers to move a triple-murder trial from April 4th to October 13th. Attorneys representing triple murder suspect Deandre Lee sought the change. Lee is charged with capital murder in connection with the June 2012 slayings of 9-year-old twins Taylor and Jordan Dejerinett and their caretaker, 73-year-old Jack Mac Girdner of Hope Hull. The victims' bodies were found in a wooded area near Alabama 21. Deandre Lee is being held without bond in the Lowndes County Jail.