Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2015 The Detroit News
Contact:  http://www.detroitnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Michael Komorn

MEDICAL POT WILL HELP AUTISTIC CHILDREN

In the United States, and in Michigan, autism is growing. In fact, it 
is growing at such an alarming rate that it has just recently been 
identified as a significant public health issue, due to statistics 
provided by the Center for Disease Control's Autism and Developmental 
Disabilities Monitoring Network, a nationwide federal program that 
tracks autism rates around the country.

Estimates show that autism rates have risen in every report since 
tracking began in 2002, from one in 150 in 2002 to one in 68 in 2010. 
There is not a cure, however, new studies show, autism can be treated.

Some 800 pages of research along with 75 peer review articles on 
cannabis as a viable option for the treatment of autism were recently 
gathered by Dr. Christian Bogner, a prominent pediatrician currently 
in practice with one of Metro Detroit's largest health systems, and 
presented to LARA, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

This data is part of a new, thoroughly researched petition to add 
autism to the list of conditions, which can be treated with medical 
marijuana. On July 31 in Lansing, the Michigan Medical Marijuana 
Review Panel voted yes to recommending medical cannabis as a legal, 
permissible treatment for all autistic patients. This would include 
pediatric and juvenile patients under the age of 18 with approval 
from two physicians. That recommendation is currently being 
considered by David Zimmer, director of LARA, a Gov. Rick Snyder 
appointee. The fate of thousands of autistic children now rests in his hands.

It has been a long and difficult road. Initially, and despite what 
can only be described as overwhelming evidence, LARA, tasked with 
addressing petitions for new conditions, initially refused to hold a 
hearing or even consider the petition. As a result, attorneys Tim 
Knowlton and myself, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, and 
Cannabis Patients United, sued LARA in Ingham County Court. It was 
only after nearly a year of litigation and foot dragging that LARA 
ceded its position. Attorney General Bill Schuette's office 
"defended" LARA's position by delaying for months, only yielding 
after the petitioner filed her brief with the court, days before oral 
arguments. Meanwhile, parents are treating their autistic children, 
typically orally in tandem with olive oil or other edible sources.

Today, we are at a crossroads. A pivotal moment in history.

All too often the issues regarding medical marijuana are politicized. 
What is at issue here is the right and desire of parents to protect 
and treat their children, without fear of breaking the law. What 
would each of us do for our children if similarly afflicted? In 
particular when there is medicine available that has already proven 
effective in treating epilepsy and autism? Our families should have 
choices. Michigan's parents and their children should have hope.

Michael Komorn, president, Michigan Medical Marijuana Association
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom