Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) announced on Feb. 15 that he and Rep. Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg) are circulating a bill for co-sponsorship that would create a safe and legal process for cannabidiol (CBD) to be manufactured in the state.

Larson says his proposal (LRB 2105) would remove barriers to accessing CBD treatment by doing the following:

* Establishing a licensure program, administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services for individuals to produce and distribute CBD oil

* Allowing a person who holds a license to manufacture CBD oil to possess tetrahydrocannabinols, so long as it is only going to be used to produce nonpsychoactive CBD oil

* Clarifying that any individual with the appropriate license may distribute CBD oil and any individual may possess CBD oil

Larson’s release included this statement:

“It’s time for lawmakers to face the truth and acknowledge that, while well-intentioned, Lydia’s law is ineffective and Senate Bill 10/ Assembly Bill 49 will not fully fix the problem. Families have continued to suffer, and the majority party has continued to delay access to this critical treatment option. “We cannot keep writing out prescriptions without a way for families to fill them in Wisconsin.”

Sen. Larson previously introduced SB772 close to the end of the 2015-2016 legislative session. SB772, which died in committee, also would have authorized CBD production.