“This is all about improving their quality life, as well the family’s, and the right for them to try a natural, herb-based medicine.”
By Gloria Gomez, Arizona Mirror
Under a proposal to expand who can access marijuana, Arizonans suffering from autism or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could have marijuana added to their medical arsenal.
People with serious medical conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or seizures may apply for a medical cannabis card. Although adult recreational marijuana is legal in Grand Canyon State since 2020 when Arizonans voted for it, a qualifying medical marijuana card will allow you to buy more, pay less, and wait less time.
Senate Bill 1466 provides these benefits to Arizonans with PTSD and autism. There are 20 states that include PTSD as a condition for accessing cannabis through a medical license. 14 states have also prescribed it as a treatment of autism.
The Arizona Senate supported the proposal with broad bipartisan support earlier in the month. On Monday, the House of Representatives cleared the first hurdle. Propelled by parents’ pleas, the House of Representatives passed the first hurdle.
Christina Flynn shared with members of the House Health and Human Services Committee how her autistic son was greatly improved by being allowed to smoke marijuana.
Arizona does not currently allow patients to use medical marijuana. Only 21-year-olds may possess recreational marijuana. However, some symptoms such as seizures or autism could be eligible for treatment.
Flynn’s son, who was diagnosed with severe autism, suffered from frequent rage attacks as well as self-injurious behavior. Six different antipsychotic drugs failed in these cases, but marijuana was effective where other treatments failed.
She said that he used to attack people 30 times per day. “For the past 18 months, he hasn’t attacked anyone.”
Although the cause of autism remains unknown, medications are often prescribed to manage the symptoms. These can include aggression or anxiety. Sometimes, medications offer only temporary relief in severe cases.
Aaron Jacobs is a father of a nine year-old boy with severe autism. He believes marijuana is better than the side effects of other medications. Aripiprazole and Risperidone are two of most commonly prescribed medications. They are FDA-approved drugs to treat aggression or irritability in autism patients. Side effects include seizures, muscle spasms, and a weaker heartbeat.
Jacobs stated that Jacobs isn’t concerned with drugging children to make them manageable. Jacobs stated that this is about improving the quality of their lives and their family’s life. He also gave permission for them to experiment with natural, plant-based medicines.
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Jacobs pointed out that autism is a neurological disorder and that marijuana has a major influence on nerve cells throughout the nervous system. He hopes that marijuana will have a positive effect for his son.
He said that the potential to naturally regulate his nervous system could help him have a better quality life and even independence.
John Udell is the Arizona state director of the NORML chapter. He advocates for legalization and decriminalization. Arizona has more than 9,000 autistic students.
He said, “As a patient of medical marijuana since my Crohn’s disease diagnosis in law school, I am firsthand aware how important this bill will be for Arizonans with qualifying medical circumstances.”
The bill was approved bipartisanally by 7-2 votes. The bill will now be considered by the full House of Representatives.
The state’s medical marijuana program, which was established by voters in 2010, is protected under constitutional safeguards that limit the ability of the legislature to change it. SB1466, which expands the voter’s approved program, can only be made law by two-thirds of the supermajorities in each chamber. The Senate voted 24 times for the bill, more than 20 votes were needed. If the House votes on the bill, it must receive at least 40 votes.
Arizona Mirror published this story for the first time.
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Photo by Mike Latimer.
Marijuana Moment first published the post People with Autism and PTSD Could Qualify for Medical Marijuana under Arizona Bill That’s Advance.
