LARA-Excluding Autism As Condition for Medical Marijuana

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Zimmer: Decision Excluding Autism As Condition `Straightforward,’ `Difficult’

The move not to add autism as a condition treated with medical marijuana was straightforward, but still difficult, the state official in charge of such decisions said.

 

As director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Mike ZIMMER is given final say on what conditions can be treated using medical marijuana under the state law approved by voters in 2008.

 

In August, Zimmer opted not to add autism to the list, going against the wishes of some outspoken parents and the state board charged with recommending a decision to him (See “LARA Director: No Medical Marijuana For Those With Autism,” 8/27/15).

 

The petitioning parent had noticed improvements in her son’s autism when she treated him with medical marijuana for his epilepsy — which is an allowed condition — so she tried to get the state to include autism as a treatable condition.  Other parents of children with autism lent their passionate support at public hearings, and the Medical Marihuana Act Review Panel (MMARP) agreed to recommend that Zimmer add the condition to the list.

 

Yet when asked in a year-end interview with MIRS if the decision to do the opposite was difficult, Zimmer said, “The decision was relatively straightforward, given the statute and the public hearing record. It was nevertheless a difficult decision to make because I knew it would impact families in the state.”  He outlined the reasons why in his opinion, including the lack of scientific backing, testing and the limitation on age.

 

Zimmer had expressed concern about how medical marijuana would be administered to children if autism were added to the list.  When asked what must be addressed to allow autism, Zimmer said one issue — how medical marijuana is delivered — is being dealt with in the Legislature. That’s a reference to HB 4210, which is part of the medical marijuana package that has gained passage in the House but no traction in the Senate just yet (See “Medical Marijuana Regulation Shelved Until 2016,” 12/9/15).

 

HB 4210, sponsored by Rep. Lisa [LYONS] (R-Alto), would allow non-smokable forms of medical marijuana.  Zimmer said he heard testimony about how parents were treating their children with medical marijuana through “Rick Simpson oil,” which he believes isn’t an allowable delivery method under the law.

 

State officials have previously been cautious when it comes to adding conditions to the list. Zimmer’s predecessor, Steve ARWOOD, approved adding post-traumatic stress disorder, albeit with some concerns (See “LARA Approves Medical Marijuana Use For PTSD,” 3/18/14).

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