After several months of delays and wading through federal bureaucracy, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has finally been approved to begin its CBD oil study under “Carly’s Law,” which was passed unanimously by the Alabama Legislature last year.

“It’s taken us a whole year to get to this point,” said Dr. David Standaert, Chairman of UAB’s Department of Neurology. “It’s been very difficult with this because of all of the federal restrictions.”

That sentiment isn’t lost on Dustin Chandler, father of the bill’s namesake, Carly. “It’s been a long, hard process and it took a lot of patience,” Chandler said. “It taught me that the people have a voice and that voice is even more powerful when it comes from our children.”

Carly has applied to be involved in the program, though Chandler has not received any word on her application or when applicants will be notified of their inclusion or exclusion. Chandler is optimistic that the CBD oil will provide his daughter with relief from her seizures, as well as it make it possible for her to get off of the various medications she is currently taking.

According to Bob Shepard, media relations at UAB, two letters were delivered with instructions on how to proceed with the program. Shepard noted that there were two letters because UAB is conducting two studies, one for children and one for adults.

“Receipt of the letters from (the) FDA means that we can move forward with the remaining steps that must be completed,” Shepard said in an email. “The modifications requested by (the) FDA were minor.”

“We are elated that the FDA has given the study the green light and hope that Leni gets the relief that she needs from her seizures on CBD oil,” said Amy Young, mother of a child currently on the list to receive treatment from UAB.