This may just be a carefully considered issue that has been unfoundedly rejected, as medical marijuana is denied for autism in Michigan, in a very unpopular decision. Parents and doctors alike have witnessed the benefits of marijuana oil, and have bent over backwards to get their petition even considered.
The stage seemed set. They gathered ample amounts of supporters, the advisory panel of doctors voted 4 to 2 on recommending medical marijuana for treating cases of autism, and parents of afflicted children were hopeful. However, they were let down and the possibility squashed beneath the heel of the officials, or at the very least, one official.
Mark Zimmer, director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, stated that he wasn’t persuaded by the arguments brought over and that there was not enough research to permit its use in treatment. Michigan would have been the first state to legally permit the use of medical marijuana in autistic patients.
It should be noted that the petitioners and supporters did not speak of smoking. They requested that it be legalized in the form of oil, extracted from the plant and to be swallowed by children. It has been reported to control outbursts, kicking, screaming, punching and other extreme forms of physical behavior.
Diseases currently on the list of receiving medical marijuana as a legitimate treatment are cancer, hepatitis C, glaucoma, HIV and a few other conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder that was voted for in 2008.
The advisory panel, whose main job is to vote on matters of which treatments gets approved for what disease, had a majority vote of ‘yes’ on legalizing oil extracted from medical marijuana as a means to help what is an unfortunate condition in a lot of children.
Zimmer, however, ultimately decided that it’s not a decision he’s willing to support and slammed all attempts. According to Lisa Smith, who filed the petition, the final decision is disappointing as it would’ve helped many children gain a better lifestyle.
Smith, who has a 6-year-old autistic child herself, has seen the benefits of using medical marijuana in controlling outbursts and hopefully wished other parents could see the same. Attorney Michael Komorn has also stated that Mark Zimmer misinterprets the Medical Marijuana Act, as the official has referred to the law being active only in cases of dried leaves, not oils.
Zimmer is now under the fire of criticism, beneath accusations that he has personally quoted the concerns of some doctors, while entirely ignoring the benefits others claimed and overlooking their actual decision of voting for the use of medical marijuana.
Thus, the petition was rejected and the bit of help that could have been offered to children suffering from autism ultimately slashed to pieces. It stands to question how drastic Zimmer’s popularity would fall for denying even the mere possibility of medical marijuana working.
Image source: wakingtimes.com
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