By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois school nurses could soon be dispensing an oil extracted from marijuana.

A state senate panel on Tuesday put its stamp of approval on a plan that would allow nurses or other school employees to administer CBD, or cannabidiol oil, a non-intoxicating extract of marijuana used to treat various conditions.

The oil is often used to control seizures, but because it comes from marijuana, there has been resistance to allowing it to be administered in schools.

State Sen. Christina Castro, D-Chicago, said the measure will not allow students to get high in the hallway.

“This is limited to medical-cannabis infused products. This does not include smoking,” Castro told some reluctant lawmakers. “It is very clear in the bill. It is only oils, edibles, and the patch.”

Ashley Surin’s parents are pushing for the plan to be approved. Ashely suffers from seizures, and the oil has allowed her to attend public school.

Her mother, Maureen, told lawmakers that they have an agreement to allow Ashley’s school to give her the medicine. They want the same for all kids in the state.

“A lot of medicines are controlled. We just hope that this one down the road will be viewed like the other meds,” Maureen Surin said. “So she can live like the other kids, and have meds on hand for maintenance or emergency.”

The bill, HB4870, already passed the Illinois House and is headed for a vote in the full Illinois Senate.