MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO MANAGE AUTISM IN CHILDREN

Given the many challenges involved in raising an autistic child, parents are willing to try a variety of potential remedies, many of which are controversial and unproven.

But one potential treatment that has gained attention recently is one that was controversial well before its first mention in connection with autism.

"At first I did some research, and I found a doctor who actually had a protocol for medical marijuana in children diagnosed with autism," Mieko Hester-Perez of Fountain Valley, Calif., told "Good Morning America."
Hester-Perez made her decision to try giving her 10-year-old son, Joey Perez, medical marijuana after his weight had become dangerously low due to his unwillingness to eat. She said that at the time she began the approach, he weighed only 46 pounds.
"You could see the bones in his chest. He was going to die," she said.
"The marijuana balanced my son," said Hester-Perez, noting that she has never used marijuana herself. "My son had self-injurious behaviors. He was extremely aggressive, he would run out of our house... he was a danger to himself and others."
But just hours after she gave him one of the pot-infused brownies, she said she could see a change -- both in his appetite and demeanor.
"Within hours, he requested foods we had never seen him eat before," said Hester-Perez.
She added that her son used to take a cocktail of medications, three times every day, for his condition. He now takes only three, and he has a marijuana brownie once every two or three days. He still cannot communicate verbally.
"I saved my son's life, and marijuana saved my son's life... When a mother hears that her son is knocking on death's door, you will do anything to save his life," said Hester-Perez.
Allen St. Pierre, executive director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said that marijuana for children is something that draws concern even from parents within his advocacy organization.
"While there have been some people within NORML's ranks who remain put off by this, I think speaks to just how fearful some are [of marijuana]," he said.
And this reaction remains out of proportion to the possible risks from the drug, he said, noting that, just as some children are given doses of medical marijuana in more regulated settings, children can be given controlled doses of strong drugs such as amphetamines or opioids without drawing as much opposition.
"They probably wouldn't raise an eyebrow," St. Pierre said of parents' responses, "but because reefer madness has been so profound in the United States, that's one of the only things that makes it notable."

But some opposition to this type of treatment is medical concern.
"He is intoxicated. He's stoned," said Dr. Sharon Hirsch, a child psychiatrist at the University of Chicago. "It means that he's under the influence of a drug and may have an addiction. It can cause psychosis, may lead to schizophrenia. [There's] no evidence at all at this time and no reason to prescribe any kind of marijuana for a child with autism."
Pot and Consequences
Because of a lack of research on marijuana and autism, the effect of actions like Hester-Perez's are unclear.
"The data on early exposure and long-term exposure in kids, at least one study suggests small decreases in IQ long term," said Mitch Earleywine, a psychologist and associate professor at the University at Albany who has researched marijuana and currently serves on the advisory board for NORML.

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[ShutUpAndListen79]

I have Aspergers and would love to find out the effect it would have on me. I too get stressed and anxious easily by things which non people on the spectrum would have no issue with. Obviously I'm of going to smoke it illegally but it's a shame if it could completely change my life for the better.

Is there any legal means of testing it? Even if I was part of a medical study? I hear so many good effects it has had on people on the Autistic spectrum btw I live in the UK.

[Bingstock]

NO NO NO NO don't grow your own medication!!!!

Come over here, I have synthetic shit that can kill you, and it only costs $16,000.00.

and mine is legal :)

[TheStinkfister]

@WeAskThePeople And he says it's a part of the brain reacting to it.... It's the dendrites of the neurons in the thalamus. Media assuming a lack of intellect leads to lack of intellect.

[CBud727]

People are idiots. Of course the natural prescriptions work. All of those pill bottles are nothing but inorganic chemicals. And people wonder why 50% of people get cancer and is only increasing. Natural = healthy remedy. Chemicals = Cancer. Duh! Look at the side affect every chemical prescription commercial. May cause headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, sudden death! Side affects to marijuana: feeling of well being, increased appetite, euphoria. What would you rather ingest? FTW

[hallerd]

What are the physiological and behavioral effects of Endocannabinoid system dysfunction?

[WeAskThePeople]

"cannabinoid".... HE KEEPS SAYING CARRABINOID..

[rooti70]

People are interested in the TRUTH! Nothing to do with getting high. This plant will more then likely ELIMINATE most serious illness. If you eat this plant raw it will literally PREVENT illness. Know the Truth, "the truth is infectious" Todd McCormick said that I believe. Please watch and share these videos. "The Cure", "Run from the cure","Cannabis leaf", "All new Cannabis documentary", "When we grow" and last but certainly not least " The Union". Thank you.

[BrooklynBookReview]

The criminalization of Cannabis Sativa is one of the greatest tragedies of mankind and the result of money-lust of a few arrogant ignorant industrialists.

[MrAmbidexterous]

@Grantofglyn it relaxes you, make you more open to new experiences, makes you happy, it's just great!

[Sub2Me4Sora]

@Grantofglyn me three