Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
They are uprooting their lives for their kids.
Kansas and Missouri families are moving across state lines for medical marijuana and risking everything.
The experimental treatment is legal in Colorado to treat seizures, cancer, and other forms of pain.
But doctors there don't know if the drug, still federally illegal, is doing more harm than good for kids.
That uncertainty did not keep Ryan and Kathy Reed from moving to Colorado to try and control their son Otis' seizures.
They moved from Lawrence to the small community of Manitou Springs in May of last year after hearing many stories of kids getting relief from a form of medical marijuana, called cannabis oil.
The oil does not get kids high and other parents say it has dramatically reduced seizure activity in their children.
"It was kind of rare to see a smile from him," said Kathy Reed. "Now, we see him smile and laugh every day."
The Reeds said they have seen progress since coming to Colorado.
Otis is able to sleep for longer stretches during the night with reduced seizures.
"We have seen huge developmental and cognitive gains," said Kathy Reed.
Even though Otis still has seizures, the Reeds are optimistic.
"He's got the best quality of life he's ever had with medical marijuana," Ryan Reed said.
Doctors estimate roughly 430 kids like Otis are registered for medical marijuana in Colorado.
Sydni Yunek, 10, moved from Kansas City to start cannabis oil last year.
"A lot of people have said, Sydni has blossomed out here," Sydni's mom Holli Brown said.
Sydni had to stop using cannabis oil because it interacted with one of her prescription medications.
But she is hoping to take cannabis oil again in the future, after consultation with her neurologist.
"Even though it did not do everything for the seizures I wanted it to, Brown said. "It's done a tremendous amount for her speech."
Brown is still a strong advocate for using medical cannabis.
Since the federal government still considers marijuana illegal, doctors in Colorado are reluctant to say whether it's pharmaceuticals, cannabis oil, or a combination that makes kids' seizures stop.
That's why doctors at Children's Hospital Colorado are going to study whether or not cannabis works.
"There's a lot of unknowns here, and people need to consider that," said Dr. Kelly Knupp, a neurologist who will spend three years observing 150 epileptic kids using cannabis oil.
Knupp said doctors need more research to say it is safe.
"We don't really have the data to say whether it works or not," Knupp said.
Sydni's mom, Holli Brown, needs no more proof.
"We have definitely moved forward much more quickly," Brown said.
The Reeds say Otis shows strong progress, too, in their new home away from home in Colorado.
"Everybody wants to do the best for their kids," Ryan Reed said.
The Reed's family members testified before Kansas lawmakers this year about legalizing medical marijuana.
Holli Brown successfully lobbied Missouri's legislature last year to approve very limited forms of medical marijuana for kids with seizures.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Families move to get medical marijuana treatment for kids | Local News - KMBC Home
Author: Matt Flener
Contact: newsroom at news@KMBC.com
Photo Credit: Brennan Linley
Website: Kansas City News, Weather and Sports - Missouri News - KMBC Channel 9
Kansas and Missouri families are moving across state lines for medical marijuana and risking everything.
The experimental treatment is legal in Colorado to treat seizures, cancer, and other forms of pain.
But doctors there don't know if the drug, still federally illegal, is doing more harm than good for kids.
That uncertainty did not keep Ryan and Kathy Reed from moving to Colorado to try and control their son Otis' seizures.
They moved from Lawrence to the small community of Manitou Springs in May of last year after hearing many stories of kids getting relief from a form of medical marijuana, called cannabis oil.
The oil does not get kids high and other parents say it has dramatically reduced seizure activity in their children.
"It was kind of rare to see a smile from him," said Kathy Reed. "Now, we see him smile and laugh every day."
The Reeds said they have seen progress since coming to Colorado.
Otis is able to sleep for longer stretches during the night with reduced seizures.
"We have seen huge developmental and cognitive gains," said Kathy Reed.
Even though Otis still has seizures, the Reeds are optimistic.
"He's got the best quality of life he's ever had with medical marijuana," Ryan Reed said.
Doctors estimate roughly 430 kids like Otis are registered for medical marijuana in Colorado.
Sydni Yunek, 10, moved from Kansas City to start cannabis oil last year.
"A lot of people have said, Sydni has blossomed out here," Sydni's mom Holli Brown said.
Sydni had to stop using cannabis oil because it interacted with one of her prescription medications.
But she is hoping to take cannabis oil again in the future, after consultation with her neurologist.
"Even though it did not do everything for the seizures I wanted it to, Brown said. "It's done a tremendous amount for her speech."
Brown is still a strong advocate for using medical cannabis.
Since the federal government still considers marijuana illegal, doctors in Colorado are reluctant to say whether it's pharmaceuticals, cannabis oil, or a combination that makes kids' seizures stop.
That's why doctors at Children's Hospital Colorado are going to study whether or not cannabis works.
"There's a lot of unknowns here, and people need to consider that," said Dr. Kelly Knupp, a neurologist who will spend three years observing 150 epileptic kids using cannabis oil.
Knupp said doctors need more research to say it is safe.
"We don't really have the data to say whether it works or not," Knupp said.
Sydni's mom, Holli Brown, needs no more proof.
"We have definitely moved forward much more quickly," Brown said.
The Reeds say Otis shows strong progress, too, in their new home away from home in Colorado.
"Everybody wants to do the best for their kids," Ryan Reed said.
The Reed's family members testified before Kansas lawmakers this year about legalizing medical marijuana.
Holli Brown successfully lobbied Missouri's legislature last year to approve very limited forms of medical marijuana for kids with seizures.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Families move to get medical marijuana treatment for kids | Local News - KMBC Home
Author: Matt Flener
Contact: newsroom at news@KMBC.com
Photo Credit: Brennan Linley
Website: Kansas City News, Weather and Sports - Missouri News - KMBC Channel 9
