Regulators recommend Medicinal Marijuana use for 10 new conditions

Regulators recommend Medicinal Marijuana use for 10 new conditions

A review panel on Friday 5-4-18 recommended adding 10 new conditions to the list of ailments for approval for medical marijuana use. The recommended additions are…

  • Obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Arthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Parkinson’s
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Autism
  • Chronic pain

A Michigan regulator will consider an advisory board’s recommendation to add autism and other conditions to a list of allowable medical conditions for the use of marijuana.

Shelly Edgerton who is The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director  has until July 10, 2018 to make a decision on nine of the recommendations and until Aug. 6 to make a decision on another.

A previous director in 2015 rejected a recommendation to allow marijuana use for autism.

Marijuana is allowed to relieve the side effects of cancer and other conditions. Only post-traumatic stress disorder has been added since 2008.

LARA-Excluding Autism As Condition for Medical Marijuana

LARA-Excluding Autism As Condition for Medical Marijuana

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).

LARA-Excluding Autism As Condition for Medical Marijuana

Michigan Panel Votes 4-2 In Support Of Cannabis Use For Children With Autism, LARA Director Denies Petition

Michigan Panel Votes 4-2 In Support Of Cannabis Use For Children With Autism, LARA Director Denies Petition.

 

 

Mike Zimmer, the Director of LARA in Michigan, has taken the futures of children and their families into his hands, only to crush them, insult them, and put all of their lives in danger. I was in attendance on July 31st 2015 at the last autism hearing in Lansing when the panel was finally given the chance to make an informed vote of 4-2 in favor of Autism being added to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana.

I held our 4-year-old son Emery affectionately in my arms as I spoke in front of the panel of our experience over the last year and how it has changed us. We are able to give Emery cannabis because of his epilepsy diagnosis. I explained what it has done to reverse his autism impairment, to help him grow and to be happy, and for us to be able to live together in the same home. Before cannabis, we were going to have to live in separate homes on the same farmland together. Emery could not help but attack everyone around him constantly, including his younger siblings. Now, we happily spend entire days together and can hardly imagine the road we were headed down before Emery’s brain was allowed to work the way it is meant to because of cannabis.
 
We were at the hearing with other friends as well. These friends have been fighting this for over two years. They are parents, family, friends, attorneys, doctors, experts, and other activists. Parents with adult autistic children spoke to the panel as well. These parents have spent decades watching their children suffer as they refill endless bottles of dangerous pharmaceutical medications. They explained that from all of their research and everything they have seen, they believe that cannabis will work. They want to try it.
 
Parents like Dwight Zahringer have seen that other children using cannabis are not only experiencing changes in behavior and sleep patterns, but are also becoming verbal for the first time. Like every parent, these are things that he wants deeply for his own son, who is mostly non-verbal at the age of three. The original petitioner Lisa Smith’s son Noah, who has been non-verbal his whole life, has just recently started talking at the age of six because of cannabis. Parents caring for children with an autism diagnosis shouldn’t have to wait another day to try a proven safe and effective medicine that is non-toxic and has never caused a death. This is especially true when it’s helping so many people already.
 
Mike Zimmer denied the petition despite the panel’s recommendation to add it to the qualifying list of conditions.
 
The panel is specifically designated by LARA to make the decisions regarding new conditions that should qualify for protection under the MMMA. They reviewed over seventy-five peer-reviewed articles with over eight hundred pages of scientific information relating to the paediatric use of cannabis for autism. Parents should be able to choose this medicine for their autistic children. Adults who are suffering should be able to qualify as well. But instead of passing this decision through so that families can finally find relief, healing, and new positive experiences, Mike Zimmer denied it. From the decision:
 
“This lack of scientific evidence is concerning … the petition fails to acknowledge the direct impact on children… .”
 
And Lt. Governor Brian Calley, who has an autistic child of his own, weighed in by saying “there are neither sufficient studies nor scientific trials demonstrating its clinical impact to justify approval at this time.”
Maybe what these guys need is over eight hundred pages of information on the dangers of using anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, anti-insomnia, and anti-anxiety medications on children just to help them cope or to control dangerous behaviors.
 
Zimmer writes that children with autism “without associated seizure disorders” are already eligible under the language of the MMMA. He implies that if there are no seizures, then the autism is not severe, with no clear definition for what severe autism is.
 
Let’s help him with that: autism is a word with six letters. That’s it. But children with an autism diagnosis, whether it is considered severe or not, have to see doctors to get that diagnosis. And there are reasons for seeing the doctors. Parents can’t just walk into a dispensary and get an autism diagnosis and a medical card. Children with these conditions have a neurologist and sometimes many other doctors that they see regularly to monitor their growth, behaviors, and intelligence. It feels like what Mike Zimmer is really saying is that he doesn’t trust the many compassionate doctors, attorneys, parents, experts, social workers and other professionals who work in this field. These are the people who spend time with autistic children and their families.
 
They support this petition. Yet, he feels he has the right to make this decision for all of us.
 
He does not have that right.
 
He does not have the right to put a time limit on the lives of people or to force parents to separate siblings from each other when they can grow up together as friends, happily and peacefully. He doesn’t have the right to choose the number of children that are allowed to thrive and succeed in this world. In his Final Determination letter, he even makes it a point to rebut the claims that adding autism would cause a minimal increase in participation among minors.
 
276608146-Lara-Final-Determination-Medical-Marijuana-Autism
 
Attorney Michael Komorn suggests:
 
This guy is the head of LARA, the agency that licenses these physicians, and he relies upon the argument that the doctors that we license can’t be trusted and will abuse the system. To follow his logic, his licensed physicians will treat autistic patients who they are not qualified to treat … The solution is that he can regulate this through the physicians and lay down rules and regulations. Instead he shuts it down.
None of this matters, of course. Every child with an autism diagnosis will benefit from using cannabis. This is clearly outlined in all of the peer-reviewed information that was included with the petition even aside from the hundreds, if not thousands, of miraculous stories from all across the country. These are stories of autism impairment being reversed, sometimes seemingly overnight, just from using low doses of cannabis oil or other forms of cannabis. Let’s make sure these people have all the information they need to make this right for us!
 
THIS IS A CALL FOR ACTION!
 
California and D.C parents can already treat their children with cannabis for autism. This fight has been going on in Michigan for long enough now that a lot of people far and away are paying attention. When autism is added to the list of qualifying conditions in Michigan, our children will literally become the long-term studies that Mike Zimmer and other opponents of the petition claim that we need to have first.
 
Please take a few minutes out of your day and call LARA and the Governor’s office, or send out some emails or faxes. It really does mean a lot to everyone who works hard on this. It could make a huge difference in the outcome and aftermath of Zimmer’s final determination letter, which is included in the article. If you have any creative ideas or information that you feel could help, please tell us about it. Some websites that you can contact are listed below. If you have a success story you want to share, feel free to share in the comments below as well. This might be a game to these politicians and profiteers, but these are our lives! We deserve to create them ourselves!
 
 
Here is the contact information for Mike Zimmer, Brian Calley, and the Governor’s Office. Please help these guys understand!
Brian Calley
https://www.facebook.com/briancalley
 
(Governor’s Office)
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 – Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863
 
Mike Zimmer
Phone: (517) 373-3286
Email: zimmerm@michigan.gov
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 373-1820
Fax: (517) 373-2129
 
This is a link to “The Endocannabinoid System as it Relates to Autism” – Joe Stone; Christian Bogner, M.D. Its references list the peer-reviewed scientific articles relating to cannabis in the treatment of autism that were included in the petition to add autism to the list of qualifying conditions to use cannabis in Michigan:

 

The Endocannabinoid System as it Relates to Autism


 
 

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/10/06/michigan-panel-votes-4-2-in-support-of-cannabis-use-for-children-with-autism-lara-director-denies-petition/

Komorn Letter: Medical pot offers hope for autistic children

Komorn Letter: Medical pot offers hope for autistic children

Medical pot offers hope for autistic children

Detroit News Opinion Page 12:09 a.m. EDT August 25, 2015

A letter by Michael Komorn was featured in the Detroit News regarding medical marijuana and children with autism.

In the United States, and in Michigan, autism is growing. In fact, it is growing at such an alarming rate that it has just recently been identified as a significant public health issue, due to statistics provided by the Center for Disease Control’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, a nationwide federal program that tracks autism rates around the country.

Estimates show that autism rates have risen in every report since tracking began in 2002, from 1 in 150 in 2002 to 1 in 68 in 2010. There is not a cure, however, new studies show, autism can be treated.

Some 800 pages of research along with 75 peer review articles on cannabis as a viable option for the treatment of autism were recently gathered by Dr. Christian Bogner, a prominent pediatrician currently in practice with one of Metro Detroit’s largest health systems, and presented to LARA, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

This data is part of a new, thoroughly researched petition to add autism to the list of conditions, which can be treated with medical marijuana. On July 31 in Lansing, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Review Panel voted yes to recommending medical cannabis as a legal, permissible treatment for all autistic patients. This would include pediatric and juvenile patients under the age of 18 with approval from two physicians. That recommendation is currently being considered by David Zimmer, director of LARA, a Gov. Rick Snyder appointee. The fate of thousands of autistic children now rests in his hands.

It has been a long and difficult road. Initially, and despite what can only be described as overwhelming evidence, LARA, tasked with addressing petitions for new conditions, initially refused to hold a hearing or even consider the petition. As a result, attorneys Tim Knowlton and myself, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association, and Cannabis Patients United, sued LARA in Ingham County Court. It was only after nearly a year of litigation and foot dragging that LARA ceded its position. Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office “defended” LARA’s position by delaying for months, only yielding after the petitioner filed her brief with the court, days before oral arguments. Meanwhile, parents are treating their autistic children, typically orally in tandem with olive oil or other edible sources.

Today, we are at a crossroads. A pivotal moment in history.

All too often the issues regarding medical marijuana are politicized. What is at issue here is the right and desire of parents to protect and treat their children, without fear of breaking the law. What would each of us do for our children if similarly afflicted? In particular when there is medicine available that has already proven effective in treating epilepsy and autism? Our families should have choices. Michigan’s parents and their children should have hope.

Michael Komorn, president,

Michigan Medical Marijuana Association

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2015/08/25/medical-pot-autistic-children/32279201/

PDF Link

LARA-Excluding Autism As Condition for Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana use for Autism rejected

Attorney Michael Komorn
“Allowing medical marijuana for those with autism was supposed to be the clinical trial,” Komorn said. “Instead, we’re going to have criminal trials.”

Medical marijuana use for Autism rejected-More local and national news

 

Michigan Radio

LARA director rejects autism for medical pot, upending state board approval. Despite getting the go-ahead from a state board made up largely of physicians, Michigan will not allow autism patients to use medical marijuana.

 

Oakland Press

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan won’t allow the use of medical marijuana to control the effects of severe autism, an official said Thursday, rejecting the recommendation of an advisory panel.

Michigan would have been the first state to add autism to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana use. But Mike Zimmer, director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, said he wasn’t swayed, citing a lack of deep research and other concerns.

“It’s frustrating and disappointing after all we’ve been through,” said Michael Komorn, an attorney for the woman who filed the petition. “It should be a choice that parents and doctors make.”

 
Michigan rejects medical marijuana for severe autism

The Times (subscription) – ‎17 hours ago‎

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan will not permit using medical marijuana to regulate the consequences of extreme autism, an official stated Thursday, rejecting the advice of an advisory panel. Michigan would have been the primary state so as to add autism to

 

Michigan rejects use of medical marijuana for autism

USA TODAY – ‎Aug 28, 2015‎

DETROIT — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder ‘s top state regulator Thursday rejected a state panel’s advice to allow medical marijuana as a treatment for autism. The decision followed three years of efforts by parents of autistic children, their lawyers and

 

Michigan Rejects Medical Marijuana For Kids With Severe Autism

CBS Local – ‎Aug 27, 2015‎

DETROIT (AP) – Michigan won’t allow the use of medical marijuana to control the effects of severe autism, an official said Thursday, rejecting the recommendation of an advisory panel. Michigan would have been the first state to add autism to the list

 

Medical Marijuana for Autism Is Denied In Michigan

The Weed Blog (blog) – ‎2 hours ago‎

safer michigan marijuana These tired eyes, which were filled with hope four short weeks ago, are now closing in disgust. The state of Michigan has denied allowing doctors to recommend marijuana for the treatment of autism. On July 31, a panel of mostly …

 

Michigan rejects recommendation to add autism as condition for medical

Press Examiner – ‎21 hours ago‎

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Mike Zimmer upended an expert panel’s recommendation that autism be added to the list of conditions. The Michigan Responsibility Council (MRC) announced this week it will push …

 

Group to push medical marijuana for autism, Parkinson’s after state’s rejection

Michigan Radio – ‎Aug 28, 2015‎

Patients with autism and Parkinson’s disease could use medical marijuana under a new effort to overhaul the system in Michigan. The Michigan Responsibility Council (MRC) announced this week it will push lawmakers to make the state’s medical marijuana …

 

Chronicle AM: MI Rejects MedMJ for Autistic Kids, US Rejects Afghanistan Opium …

Drug War Chronicle – ‎Aug 28, 2015‎

California could still see a medical marijuana regulation bill this year, a Michigan officials ignores his own advisory panel and bars medical marijuana for autistic kids, California counties strike out in an effort to make Big Pharma pay for damages

 

Bar puts emphasis on marijuana

Grand Rapids Business Journal (subscription) – ‎Aug 28, 2015‎

A group of more than 50 attorneys with a stake in marijuana-related law will meet for the first time in October as a formal section of the State Bar of Michigan. In July, the State Bar of Michigan voted to create the Marijuana Section, which will focus

 

Lawyer slams decision to deny cannabis to autistic kids

The Detroit News – ‎Aug 27, 2015‎

In this photo taken on Friday, June 26, 2015, Ida Chinonis helps her daughter Bella take her cannabis based medication at their home in Grand Blanc, Mich. (Photo: The Flint Journal). Lansing — Michigan’s regulatory director on Thursday rejected the

 

Confusion in causes of autism leads to confusion in treatment

Examiner.com – ‎Aug 27, 2015‎

A sweeping bipartisan bill introduced in 2015 could soon legalize medical marijuana in all American states. on.aol.com. Despite a recommendation by an autism review panel, a Michigan official has rejected adding autism to the diseases that can be

 

LARA Director Rejects Autism for Medical Pot, Upending State Board Approval

WMUK – ‎Aug 27, 2015‎

(MPRN-Lansing) Despite getting the go-ahead from a state board made up largely of physicians, Michigan will not allow autism patients to use medical marijuana. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Mike Zimmer overturned the …

 

Michigan rejects recommendation to add autism as condition for medical …

WWMT-TV – ‎Aug 27, 2015‎

MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A state official in Michigan has rejected a recommendation to add severe autism to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana. The head of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs says there’s a lack of scientific

 

Autism rejected for state medical marijuana conditions list

Fox17 – ‎Aug 27, 2015‎

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s Director of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has rejected a state panel’s recommendation to include autism in the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. The decision came from Mike Zimmer, the Director

 

Michigan official rejects recommendation to add autism to medical marijuana law

MLive.com – ‎Aug 27, 2015‎

LANSING, MI — A Michigan official has rejected a citizen petition and review panel recommendation to add autism to the list of conditions that qualify patients for medical marijuana use under state law. Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs