It’s widely known that cannabis is used for a multitude of aliments. One of the most common uses is against epileptic seizures. With the urge to help those in need, cannabis has been argued and researched to be a powerful and effective alternative to to lowering and sometimes halting seizures brought on by epilepsy. This is all despite being arguably listed as a schedule 1 drug and claiming to have “no medicinal value”.
Though the federal government has their reservations about the plant, many have gone ahead with using the plant for such medical purposes. In the state of Georgia, however, that has landed some parents in hot water.
Matthew and Suzeanna Brill have been charged with reckless conduct after allowing their 15-year old son, David, to treat his epileptic seizures with cannabis. The Brills claim that the switch has been a relief as David went 71 days without seizures after using cannabis.
Matthew Brill told NY Times, “Even with the ramifications with the law, I don’t care [sic]. For 71 days he was able to ride a bike, go play, lift weights. We were able to achieve that with David medicated not from Big Pharma, but David medicated with marijuana.”
David is another clear case of cannabis saving a life. Despite research, the results equal a person who can enjoy life now that the miracle plant is in it. Unfortunately, the state of Georgia didn’t see it that way. After someone alerted the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services of cannabis use, the family was drug tested in April. Matthew and his son, David, tested positive while Sueanna did not. They had to admit to giving the still federally illegal plant to their son and authorities demanded they stop.
At the moment, 77% of the state believes that cannabis should be federally legal. That is more than the nation’s average at 63%. Back in April as well, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended approval of cannabis-derived CBD medication for epilepsy. If approved, it would be the first cannabis based medication allowed by the FDA. It would make it obvious that there is some medicinal value to the plant despite substantial research and the stamp of federal legalization.
On a state level, cannabis is legal in Georgia but only in oil form for certain conditions. It’s also illegal to grow and process making it difficult for anyone with those specific concerns to obtain cannabis. While to many the Brills did nothing wrong, the state seems out of touch with what is best in a life-and-death situation. Doctors were aware of David’s cannabis use but as the parents informed his therapist, the cops showed up at the door less than a day later.
Within 14 hours of the family complying with the state’s demand, David was rushed to the hospital with what they described as “one of the most horrific seizures”. David spent a week in the hospital before he was moved 60 miles from his parents to a group home. The Brills were charged with reckless conduct resulting in Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services taking David away from his home, his dog trained to detect coming seizures, and most of all, his medication.
After being charged, David’s parents spent nearly a week in jail causing Matthew to lose his job. They have set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for lawyer expenses as the process for custody of their son can take up to a year.
At a press conference last week, County Sheriff Darren Mitchum defended the department’s actions, “Whatever the law is, it’s my job to enforce it. The fact is that, as of today, marijuana is not legal in the state of Georgia to possess or smoke or use for recreational use. And that’s it.” Mitchum added that he could have charged the Brills with cruelty to children, a felony, but “that’s not what we’re doing. We’re trying to, on one hand, understand their position if what they’re saying is true, while at the very least still doing our job like we’re supposed to do, not turning our head.” He explained that “somebody’s got to stand up for the child’s welfare.”
It’s been argued that states along the “Bible-belt” have had a harder time accepting cannabis, especially for adult uses even if that pans out to medicinal use. With President Trump’s recent sentiments to join to fight for federal legalization, we can only hope David’s case doesn’t keep him from his medicine or family much longer.
