Today, Michigan will learn if autism will be added to the list of illnesses that would qualify a person to receive a physician’s recommendation for the use of medical marijuana.
Two strong advocates for adding autism to that list have been Southfield attorney Michael Komorn and physician Dr. Harry Chugani, chief of pediatric neurology at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.
On episode #255 of the Planet Green Trees Radio Show, broadcast on July 2, host Komorn detailed the push for medical marijuana and mental illness. Episode #257 from July 16 was devoted to the issue.
“On July 20th there will be a public hearing on the vote for whether autism should be approved as a condition,” Komorn said. “Along our path we’ve encountered some news sources that are interested.”
Interested, indeed.
The Associated Press released a news story regarding the hearing, which has been picked up and passed along through major news outlets across the state. WNEM TV 5, Bill Laitner from the Detroit Free Press and many others have written about the issue and the upcoming hearing.
“Gaining the panel’s approval is no sure bet. Already, members have twice decided — in 2012 and 2014 — against adding autism,” wrote Laitner in his article.
Today’s meeting is a follow-up to a hearing held approx. two months ago, where the majority of attendees gave testimony in support of adding autism to the MMMA’s list of qualifying conditions, per a report from WILX.
An online petition from the website MoveOn.org collected more than 1,600 signatures in support of allowing sick children to have medical access to marijuana, under the supervision of a physician.
The hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Ottawa Building, 611 W. Ottawa in Lansing.
Source: The Compassion Chronicles
