Cannabis Kids: Parents Fighting For Children’s Treatment
Cannabis Kids: Parents Fighting For Children’s Treatment
Cannabis has gained near general acceptance over the last few years, with 29 American states legalizing the substance, and countries like Germany and Denmark poised to begin medical marijuana programs soon. The plant is on the rise everywhere. However, it’s important we recognize and remember the big and small heroes who helped to change cannabis’ perception in the public eye, cannabis kids and their steadfast parents.
Today, you can find recreational cannabis in 9 American states, but before legislatures could consider such laws, worried parents first had to convince them that their children’s treatments, then considered illegal, were worthwhile, needed, and beneficial to their kids.
CBD and Cannabis oil have benefits which help children who suffer from severe epileptic episodes
While images of cannabis users as lazy, munchies eating, jobless fools danced about, children like Charlotte Figi gave us a different image, href=”https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/07/health/charlotte-child-medical-marijuana/index.html”> one of a kid sidelined from her childhood due to severe seizurescaused by Dravet Syndrome. A girl whose parents said at her worst points she, “lost the ability to walk, talk and eat…[and] was having 300 grand mal seizures a week.”
In the dire straights of Charlotte’s condition, the Figi parents found a video of a young boy whose seizures ceased when his parents administered CBD oil to him. They knew then that their daughter’s health was worth the legal risks, and began medicating their daughter with a strain of cannabis high in CBD but low in THC, the chemical known for producing cannabis’ “high.”
By avoiding any psychoactive effect, Charlotte’s parents didn’t have to worry about their young daughter getting high, and the CBD rich strain had immediate benefits. Paige Figi, Charlotte’s mother, recalled in a CNN interview that, “When she didn’t have those three, four seizures that first hour [following CBD administration], that was the first sign.” After waiting another hour with no seizures, they continued treatment and Charlotte didn’t have another seizure for 7 days.
Charlotte’s CBD oil became popularized as “Charlotte’s Web” – a kid friendly strain that helps seizures disappear
Today, kids across the world have better access to medical cannabis treatments because of Charlotte and her parents efforts.Charlotte’s story and treatment stands as a medical marker and precedent for children who seek medical cannabis. Charlotte was the youngest person to ever seek a medical cannabis prescription in Colorado, and her mother recalled difficulty finding two doctors willing to sign off on her prescription, as many still believed negative stigma surrounding the cannabis plant.
“Everyone said no, no, no, no, no,” Paige recalled, “and I kept calling and calling.” Eventually her stubbornness paid off, and Charlotte received those first few doses, leading to such immediate benefit that her story went viral, and she set the benchmark for cannabis’ capabilities as a treatment for kids.
Afterwards, stories similar to Charlotte’s became more popular, as Charlotte and her parents inspired many families to disregard current laws and help their children find relief through cannabis.
By fighting for Charlotte’s medicine, the Figis helped set a precedent for childhood medical cannabis use
Many so called “pot parents” face unfounded criticism for treating their children’s conditions with medical cannabis, but the Figis, and families like them exemplify supreme parental love and support through their dedication to helping their children find relief, and live a normal life thanks to cannabis.
Charlotte’s Father, Matt, describes Charlotte’s improved condition since her continued treatment. “I literally see Charlotte’s brain making connections that haven’t been made in years,” Matt said, going further to ask, “why were we the ones that had to go out and find this cure? This natural cure? How come a doctor didn’t know about this? How come they didn’t make me aware of this?”
Through the efforts of dedicated families like the Figis, CBD as a treatment for Dravet Syndrome in children has become commonplace and accepted. Do you know about a family who has been touched by medical cannabis?
About the Author
Chris Matich is a professional writer, journalist, and editor living in Pittsburgh, PA. Chris blogs for Schenley.net. His writing interests include LGBT+ people/issues, sports writing, and blogging. Chris currently writes about web optimization, blogging practices, medical cannabis, and cannabis lifestyle.He writes fiction and creative nonfiction in his spare time. Linkedin, Twitter
