(Reuters) – North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory on Thursday signed a law allowing limited use of medical marijuana to treat seizures, joining states where cannabis has been legalized in some circumstances for therapeutic purposes.

The legislation, called the Hope 4 Haley and Friends bill, was named for 6-year-old Haley Ward of Newport, who suffers from daily seizures. It passed with wide support among North Carolina legislators, following testimony from parents calling it their last hope.

“For some children, this treatment is the only relief they can get from debilitating seizures,” McCrory, a Republican, said in a statement.

North Carolina joins states that include Alabama, Mississippi and Florida in allowing the controlled use of a cannabis extract, cannabidiol. It shows promise in helping to reduce seizures, particularly in children who suffer from epilepsy. [Read More…]