After a confrontation by a father who’s daughter suffers from a potentially deadly form of epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome, Governor Chris Christie has issued some changes in the medical marijuana policy, to which may be a solution to the child’s sickness! Hit the jump for more detail & video of the confrontation!
The parents of two year old Vivian Wilson who is diagnosed with a potentially deadly form of epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome, have been pressuring Governor Chris Christie on making changes towards the medical marijuana bill within the state to cover cases such as their daughters since June of this year. They have even threatened to relocate to Colorado where their daughter can receive the medical marijuana treatment if he refuses to sign the bill. After not hearing a response, the family of the two year old went as far as crashing and confronting the governor during a small campaign stop at a diner. The confrontation was taped and the video has gone viral since posted a couple of days ago. Could it be that their tactics may have paid off?!
Governor Christie responded today, accepting changes within the medical marijuana bill stating that he will expand options for patients, “including allowing qualified children to consume edible forms — but only if certain changes are made”.
The changes that he would agree to, included that edible forms of medical marijuana be distributed only to minors, not patients of all ages. He is also hoping to change a “provision” that states that one only needs the consultation of a doctor for marijuana. The new provision will make it so that minors have to get the approval from not only a doctor but a pediatrician and a psychiatrist.
“The bill, S2842, would add edible marijuana to the current dry-leaf and lozenge options for all qualified patients. Christie wants the bill to allow edible marijuana for qualified children only — a move that would please parents concerned that the other options posed choking and other health concerns.”
Her father began pressing the governor after seeing no solution other than medical marijuana for his child’s sickness. Two year old Vivian is reported to have 300 seizures a week and has been on 7 different types of medication to which none have shown improvement. The family believes that “a certain type of medical marijuana — one with high levels of cannabidiol, or CBD — may be able to help. High-CBD strains of marijuana have helped other patients with Dravet Syndrome”.
Christie responded to the pressures of the medical marijuana bill reformation by stating:
“Today, I am making commonsense recommendations to this legislation to ensure sick children receive the treatment their parents prefer, while maintaining appropriate safeguards,”
“I am calling on the Legislature to reconvene quickly and address these issues so that children in need can get the treatment they need.”
“As I have repeatedly noted, I believe that parents, and not government regulators, are best suited to decide how to care for their children,” Christie continued.
What do you guys think? Is this the right thing for the governor to do?
**Check out the video of the father’s confrontation below & picture of Baby Vivian in the gallery above!!**
Via CNN
