Autism Might Be Added To Medical Pot Conditions: Bill Advances

DENVER, CO – A bill to approve medical marijuana for the use of autism moved forward in the Colorado state legislature Wednesday.

The bill, HB19-1028, passed the Colorado House of Representative Health Committee in a 10-1 vote. It's sponsored by Boulder Democrat Edie Hooton and Littleton Republican Kim Ransom.

"For me, this is a parents' rights issue," Ransom said, as reported in the Denver Post.

The new bill would allow patients on the autism spectrum to receive a medical marijuana card, after a diagnosis from at least one primary care pediatrician or psychiatrist, and require "at least two doctors to sign off on a child having a 'disabling medical condition,'" reported the Denver Post's Nic Garcia.

A similar bill passed both houses of the Colorado legislature last year, only to be vetoed by then-Gov. John Hickenlooper, who said he was following the recommendations of doctors.

About 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with disorders on the autism spectrum.

"As a mom, I want my child to stop beating his head against a wall," said Melissa Atchley, a mother who testified in support of the bill Wednesday, the Post reported.

Medically sound research into the effectiveness of marijuana on autism spectrum disorders has been hindered by the drug's illegal status federally as a Schedule 1 drug.

Last year, $1.35 million was granted by the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment's marijuana funds to pay for a three-year study on the treatment of irritability in autistic children and adolescents with cannabidiol (CBD).

This year, Gov. Jared Polis has indicated that he would sign the bill into law.

READ MORE in the Denver Post.

Related: Autism, Opioid Reduction Receive $2.7M State Med. Cannabis Grants

Stay up-to-date on Denver news with Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: Free newsletters and Email Alerts|Facebook