Medical Marijuana: Why I Give My 9-Year Old Pot
October 12th, 2009 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive DirectorShare this Article
In the recent wake of Stiletto Stoners, comes part two of Marie Myung-Ok Lee’s brave and revealing account of how medical cannabis helps her autistic 9-year old son. Read part one here.
Marie and her son J. live in Rhode Island, a state where the legislators have both the chutzpah and foresight to have overridden two vetoes from the Governor (and pressure from the federal government anti-drug officials and law enforcement) in the last 24 moths to create the legal and public health framework necessary for Ms. Young and her physician to be able to effectively and safely treat J. with cannabis-oil cookies.
This essay, and others by women for whom cannabis plays an important role in their lives, are becoming more and more common in the mainstream media to the point where a forum or advisory body about ‘women and cannabis’ is certainly warranted.
NORML wants to convene such a confab in 2010 and seeks input from cannabis consumers and the general public about what kind of topics should be discussed and who should the speakers be. Please send your suggestions and feedback to: conference@norml.org
This essay was originally published at Doublex.com.
Tags: autism, pediatrics, Rhode Island
October 12th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Wow a nine year old pot? For autism? Theres gona be alot of people having a shit fit over that.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:15 am
It is saddens me to think that the government sees an autistic boy and his loving mother as criminals.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:21 am
It’s great to see people get over the “stoner” mentality and actualy realize that cannabis has a place in the medicine cabinet. Now if we can just get that message through to Washington and the 37 state capitals that refuse to listen.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Great story! Very inspirational. I hope lawmakers open up to make this situation possible in more states, as it seems that cannabis was the best treatment for this child’s condition.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Marijuana is like asprin: it has many medicinal uses, and if it works to make someone’s life better, so be it. If it works to calm a kid with aggressive autism, so be it. Obviously it should not be used for normal kid behavior just to suit the parent’s needs, but it is by far the safer drug when compared to the other choices when using them on children. Unlike asprin, though, it does not burn holes in the stomach, nor does it burn holes in the brain.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:40 am
[...] original post here: Medical Marijuana: Why I Give My 9-Year Old Pot Share and [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 11:47 am
[...] original here: Medical Marijuana: Why I Give My 9-Year Old Pot | NORML Blog Related [...]
October 12th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
use me as a speaker, with CMT, Im a walking(barely..well…give it time) example of the miracle of pot…also happen to have a background in theater(man who came to dinner, 3 hours on stage) and public speaking…(weird for someone with a degenerative nerve condition)
October 12th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I know my son was loaded up with chemical drugs when he was young. Who knew we followed the doctors advice. Now my son is 25 he has a noticeable quiver in his hands caused by the toxic drugs and I know more that have been harmed by these drugs.
DO NOT BLINDLY FOLLOW WHAT EVER YOU DOCTOR PRESCRIBES. THEY ARE PAID DRUG PUSHERS PAID BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY TO PUSH THEIR FOUL CHEMICAL DRUGS…
I would have much rather see my children use NATURAL cannabis to help them IF OUR CORRUPT SYSTEM WOULD ONLY DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE IT LEGAL. OVERRULE GREED AND USE THIS HERB TO HELP MANY AND HARM NONE……
Cherokee Fred Jesus
October 12th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Great article….its too bad more people can’t/don’t use the miracles of cannabis. Some don’t even know it can help with these “disorders”.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Excellent story. My cousin is autistic so this article really hits home for me. Its amazing to me that Marijuana is still illegal when it can be a cure for so many things. Keep spreading the word, the truth will come out eventually!
October 12th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
You should be in jail, period.
[Editor's note: Cindy, if a mother is following a licensed physician's health recommendation, and is compliant with existing state laws...why exactly should she go to prison?]
October 12th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
liked this Posted to local news
October 12th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
“And the leaves of the tree shall be for the healing of the Nations”
October 12th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
My blessings be on this family and child. Please stop the DEA from restricting their medicine.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I’m happy to see the uses of medical marijuana are being expanded. If this natural drug really helps with ailments of any kind that help is needed, then it makes me happy to know it’s being used usefully. I only can hope, that if it truely helps, then this knowledge will be spread with speed.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
good article! would like to see big news agency pick this up. foxnews, abc, cbs, nbc, comedy central, cnn, and see how the government responds.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Herbal remedies……..that’s all I gonna say……..
October 12th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
The Cannabis plant is given to us by the creator and mother nature for healing the mind, body, and soul. I am happy this child gets to use this great herb. I have 4 grown children and when my daugther was young she suffered greatly from cramps we offered her some of the best herb we could find and did relieve the cramps. Yes I broke the unjust, unlawful cannabis laws and I am glad I did. At this point I ignor our government and any/all the unjust acts or laws they attempt to apply upon me. I am at my liberty, by my leave not theirs. It doesn’t matter what government does, pull their head out of their asses or keep them up their asses I don’t care. I am at my liberty and I am not interested in giving my liberty up. They may come upon me, they my again put me in prison, they may break my bones, they may even murder me like others but in the end what will they have, my dead body but not my compliance.
Hey, Cindy, you who is without sin throw the first stone. Go ahead Cindy throw that stone just remember that God knows where each and everyone of those thrown stones came from. You go girl!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Wow, I gotta admit, the title alone is a shocker. But as with anything; you have to read into the story and I was enlightened. Under controlled conditions; this child is being given a new chance at life. Best of Health and Happiness! Thank you for turning me on!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
The sad truth of this matter is the government hasn’t allowed this plant to be studied for over 70 years. Think of how far the research would be right now if it were studied. We will only know in time as new uses are brought to the table.This law has robbed society of 70 years of research and development. How many more people have had to suffer needlessly?
October 12th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Although we all know that marijuana is much less harmful than any other Rx drug doctors are loading up children with, this doesn’t really help our cause. This is just going to invoke anger and more resistance to legalization. This should be a conversation once decriminalization is taking place in a majority of the country. NORML I would be very careful conditioning people to think 9 year olds are going to be using Marijuana if we reform marijuana laws – it is kind of anti-reformers biggest quarrel with our movement…
[Editor’s note: The very first of NORML’s Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use is that recreational use (i.e., non-medical use) is not for youth. The blog post is about a mother treating her son with cannabis, in a state where cannabis is legal, that has already been reported by a third party…It is just an interesting story regarding the choices parents have to make during this epoch of cannabis prohibition.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Cindy = “Reefer Madness” Why would someone *not choose the less harmful substance? So the best thing to do is pump our youth full of pills, which kill thousands annually, that cause more serious side effects that in turn lead to more pills being administered? Ultimately becoming dependent on them when older, until the day we die of age or overdose, which ever comes sooner. Then on to the next poor sucker. I’m sure they think one is born every minute. I disagree with it all. Consuming an herb can be detrimental to a life only if you are caught with it by the law or it is found by a pot-hater. I’ve never heard of anyone dieing from an overdose of cannabis even though pot-haters are trying to find a correlation. Correlation doesn’t always equal causation. They’d like us all to become pill poppers that smoke a few cigs then wash it all down with some alcohol. I refuse to take pills, smoke cigs or drink alcohol. I do however like to enjoy cannabis every once in awhile. For me I will not blindly follow those who choose to put $/control in front of allowing people to choose and be free. “I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees.”
October 12th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
this story made me shed a tear, thanks for sharing
October 12th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
“is that recreational use (i.e., non-medical use) is not for youth. The blog post is about a mother treating her son with cannabis, in a state where cannabis is legal, that has already been reported by a third party…It is just an interesting story regarding the choices parents have to make during this epoch of cannabis prohibition.”
This is true and I am very much against censorship; but the fact remains that some people are just so closed minded that it will take very long to open up to marijuana reform. “Glorifying” this type of story might turn off many people undecided on marijuana reform. It is good that we are having this conversation in the comment section so readers know that we are not supporting underage recreational use, and not even fully supporting this until marijuana has been fully deemed safe in very young children for this treatment. However, I wish there was more of a disclaimer or explanation in your main article (which reports on the published article, yes).
I am 100% in favor of researching natural cures for young children under extremely careful observation of doctors. I just don’t know how beneficial this blog post is strategically if people undecided on marijuana reform happened to look at NORML.org today…
[Editor's note: Freedom has nothing to fear from the truth. Posting an article about a factual, contemporary situation concerning lawful medicinal cannabis by an autistic child is not 'glorifying' child cannabis use. If (more like when) the medical case at discussion is written up in a scholarly medical journal, would you have the same fear of the editors 'glorifying' youth cannabis use?]
October 13th, 2009 at 12:33 am
You folks will like this little bit of information out of wonderful backward uneducated Kansas. When a Kansas National Guard officers was recently asked about her sworn oath to uphold the United States Constitution she said, I quote, “the Constitution is whatever the President says it is.”
It is unclear if the people of America truly understand the construction and reasoning that the founding fathers put into Constitution. The great risk to themselves and loses of family that the fathers endured to bring this important concept of liberty to life. They never wanted the American people to loose what the American Revolution had won, an idea of liberty. That their risk and loses would bring about a Nation of freeman. That these American would have the liberty to decided their own faiths, find their own happiness as long as it didn’t step upon the toes of others equally enjoying their liberty. That as American grew and went into the future it would expand the concept of Liberty and freedom.
But instead American has narrowed liberty to the definition of a few. Freedom is something we American give lip service to. Those who were elected to be our voice in Government have silence us. Those who were to protect us from any and all injustice now pursuit us as perps and criminals. Those who were in charge of protecting our rights and securing us from our government wayward actions now persecute for attempting or being at our liberty.
Liberty lies or dies with us. If we do not take our liberties as our inalienable rights to do so it shall be no more. If none of our branches of government will not respect or protect the people then we are left with a jury of our peers. I ask now that my Nation of Peers whom may end up on my jury at my persecution for being at my liberty to practice Jury Lawlessness and nullify the law. I ask that if my brothers or sisters be persecuted before the government comes for me, that you folks grant them the same Jury Nullification I seek. I ask that you folks be the last defense set in place by our founding fathers. I ask that you folks send a clear message to our Government that regardless of what they do we the People will no longer recognize their cannabis laws. If they can not respect our repeated request to do the right thing, to act justly then we the people will nullify their legislation at the jury level.
Please learn your rights and please do not remain silent anymore. Stand and use Jury Nullification to end this Constructive Fraud before us.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Chemo, yes. Autism, I don’t know. There’s so little known about autism, and each case is so individual. Whatever works, I suppose. It’s not like pot is a harmful substance when administered properly. It’s not going to kill like some other medications, right?
October 13th, 2009 at 8:16 am
But for sure this isn’t going to help our cause.
[Editor's note: When is science and truth not in service to justice? While you may believe that scientific information is not going to help the cause for reform, others believe it is one of the tenets of responsible reform. Should parents and physicians keep hiding in the dark shadows of prohibition, or should the light of science lead the way?]
October 13th, 2009 at 9:46 am
“Editor’s note: Freedom has nothing to fear from the truth. Posting an article about a factual, contemporary situation concerning lawful medicinal cannabis by an autistic child is not ‘glorifying’ child cannabis use. If (more like when) the medical case at discussion is written up in a scholarly medical journal, would you have the same fear of the editors ‘glorifying’ youth cannabis use?”
Awfully defensive NORML editors, quite discouraging for someone who supports your cause but has reserved thoughts about NORML… I thought I made it clear that your intentions for this post are good and I agree with the importance of this study. I fear that people who are undecided on marijuana reform will consider this “glorification” hence the quotes.
So I ask you this NORML editors. Do you consider your website an educational tool to persuade undecided individuals that marijuana decriminalization is beneficial to society, or is your website strictly aimed at people already on board with marijuana reform? If the latter is true, do you fear that running this story on the front of your website might dissuade undecided individuals from reform because of the nature of using experimental treatments in young children, despite how logical it may or may not be? I see reform as a strategy, not just a cluster fuck of I-told-you-so’s. In a forum directed only at pro-marijuana reformers, this is a great discussion. In a forum making the case for reform to people from all spectra, I believe this to be a huge turn-off to our message for undecided individuals and further justification (no matter how flawed) for individuals strongly opposing reform.
[Editor's note: NORML's webpage is neither a place for pro-cannabis sycophants or 'on-the-fence' citizens who can't decide if they favor ending prohibition or not. Webpages are dynamic communication tools that can both inform and entertain. A webpage does not have to be either or...and NORML's webpage is large enough, mature enough, confident enough in its skin, knows its supporters well enough and seeks a balance between legal/legislative/scientific with historical/cultural/entertainment information.]
October 13th, 2009 at 9:56 am
in response to debbie, i don’t think this article will harm “the cause” at all. on the other hand, i believe norml could be a little more careful how they word their headlines; words like pot and weed are ugly slang that i would expect to see on something like fox news. please, refer to this wonderful plant as cannabis!
[Editor's Note: NORML does not typically employ cultural terms to describe cannabis (or marijuana) such as 'pot', 'weed', or 'dope'. The author of the article employed the term 'pot', and NORML does not change existing article titles.]
October 13th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Cindy: Mellow out. NO ONE belongs in jail for a fucking plant i dont care what the circumstance is… its HARMLESS.
Stompedonmyrights: lol if the rest of the country knew what things were like in this ASS-Backwards state.. wed be the laughing stock of the nation. Oh wait we are.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Also to Cindy: Are you so simple? DID you even read the article? The kid went from bat shit insane to semi-NORML and the mothers and fathers reward for dedication and hard work you think they should be in jail? Jump into the now, open your eyes and piss off
October 13th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I know for my self that pharm drugs can be worse than the condition,so yes I too am very careful. I’d smoke a joint over anti depressants any day. F-ing things will ruin ya over time.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Note to the editor:
Good job keeping this ship steering straight.Keep it up.
October 13th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Call it cannabis or call it by it’s old trade name Hemp. It is not a weed, it is a herb!
October 13th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
get a grip federal government!!!!!!!!
October 14th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Yep, I have aspergers and marijuana has helped me with social phobia, depression (caused by lack of human contact) and anxiety. I was at the point of suicide when I found pot, it literally saved my life. Now I have to regularly break the law in order to get the help I need, have to associate with people that sell not only pot but amphetamines and opiates to get my supply. Legal marijuana can not come soon enough!!!
October 14th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Hahaha why are you moderating out my messages?
I want to know how this post pertains to your mission statement: “NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.”
You said “NORML’s webpage is neither a place for pro-cannabis sycophants or ‘on-the-fence’ citizens who can’t decide if they favor ending prohibition or not.” but that makes no sense given your mission statement.
Why should I support an organization that might be hurting the cause it is fighting for? All I want is an explanation!!
[Russ responds: By posting a story of a remarkable medical use of cannabis in pediatrics, we show the public that marijuana truly is a medicine. The public opinion is then moved toward supporting at least its legal medical use, which then moves people toward supporting responsible use by adults. Nobody is saying that all 9-year-olds should smoke pot, but certainly this case shows there can be medical utility in cannabis therapies for children. I don't think that hurts our cause at all.]
October 14th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
[Russ responds: By posting a story of a remarkable medical use of cannabis in pediatrics, we show the public that marijuana truly is a medicine. The public opinion is then moved toward supporting at least its legal medical use, which then moves people toward supporting responsible use by adults. Nobody is saying that all 9-year-olds should smoke pot, but certainly this case shows there can be medical utility in cannabis therapies for children. I don't think that hurts our cause at all.]
Ok thanks, I agree. I think this explanation was imperative to have in your original blog. The general public DOES read your website and that type of disclaimer to something controversial helps them understand the importance rather than think marijuana reforms advocate children using the drug (except under strict guidance of a Dr.)
[Editor's note: The article was perfectly clear that medicinal use is in play with the autistic child--not recreational use. Disclaimers are for legal purposes and to educate the woefully uninformed. NORML did not need a disclaimer for the blog, despite your singular repeated requests for one, as there are no legal matters involved for the organization and NORML's daily audience is informed enough about cannabis so as not to need a disclaimer. There are thousands of articles, reports and blogs at norml.org, going back to 1994....and to date they've never needed a disclaimer of any sort.]
October 14th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
i cried
October 15th, 2009 at 12:39 am
I do not support legalization of an illegal drug and I do support our governments decision. However, I do respect your position in this matter and keep fighting. This is what America is all about.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Good for them. It’s absolutely sickening that misinformation, (spread by the government none the less) about cannabis is so prevalent that anyone would think a mother doing what’s best for her child should be jailed.
What a horrible thing to say.
October 15th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Dan Says:”I do not support legalization of an illegal drug . . . ” wtf???
Cannabis should never have been illegal in the first place. Our governments decision is based on lies and greed. Get a clue . . .
October 15th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
“educate the woefully uninformed.”
NORML’s mission statement: “NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.”
Doesn’t educating the woefully uninformed support your mission statement?
Sorry, then I will take my support for marijuana reform elsewhere. If you are unwilling to consider your supporter’s legitimate suggestions then that is too bad.
October 15th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
“and NORML’s daily audience is informed enough about cannabis so as not to need a disclaimer.”
Clearly not if you have read some of the posts on here. And those are the individuals that write something, imagine all of the uninformed who are just checking out what NORML is all about. You are really missing some quality opportunities to educate the woefully uninformed. Too bad.
October 15th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Firstly Cindy, you are a fool. I am 17 with severe ADHD and at age 13 I was prescribed adderall. For those who dont know; adderall is an extremely addictive amphetamine that(much like ritalin) can lead to drug abuse and addiction in the future. Well by the age of 15, I was abusing it because I had formed an addiction. I had a friend that wanted to get me out of this rut without sending me to rehab so one day he came over and handed me a joint and told me to smoke it. While we were smoking he told me a story of how he used to have the same problem but then started smoking cannabis. Just like him, it helped me get out of my addiction and I now use it as an alternative for my adderall. So I have to argue against the “its a gateway drug” statement thats been going around forever. Because of cannabis I concentrate better in school, im more productive, and I dont feel reliant on it, unlike I did with adderall, an addictive but legal chemical drug prescribed by my doctor. I self medicate but does that mean that im a criminal? No. It means that I am responsible enough to use it for a medical condition without being stupid and childish with it.
October 17th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
To those calling for the safety to be determined:
BY WHOM? The FDA? Please… the wheels of commerce say what is safe, not what has been clinically proven to be safe. Look at the myriad of side effects listed on TV ads for drugs the FDA has deemed “safe.” It boggles the mind that ANY testing was done, given the potential side effects. Doctors have to weigh the risk as it relates to the benefit. Given cannabis has yet to be linked to ANY detrimental side effects, I’ll take my chances with it rather than what big pharm has paid the FDA to claim is safe.
Who is anyone to tell someone what medicine to give their child- especially if it is working and there are no side effects?
October 18th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I did the same thing for my 9 yr old son who has autism. I did it just once, it was the best day of his life and mine. We sat talked, joked and took a long nap together. I had never been able to bond with my son like that. I did not repeat though, because fear of being “caught.” Now, I am going to get my son a prescription. Why not, I have one for my bone diease. Wouldn’t it be cool if this plant that can ease my pains, also helps my childs pains and gives my whole family a NORMAL life. To people who would say parents that do this is wrong, allowing your kids to suffer is wrong. Medications the doctors gave my son made him moody, scared and he saw things. (they also stunnted his growth) After 3 years, no improvement was made, we stopped the meds. Spend a day with a autisic family, its not just a diease that effects the child, but rather the family as a whole.
October 19th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
What do you expect, the kid is autistic, he needs his Ritalin, Zolox, Kolozox, Cropox and any other patented crap whose “research” was funded by OUR tax dollars.
Where are the religious God folk when it comes to defending this God given herb that is so versatile?
October 19th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
anyhow i also have autism and i smoke marijuana it helps me cope with everyday life because when im high ive noticed i dont feel aggitated annoyed and or aggravated by other people so i sit back and relax high out of my mind and ignore those people who annoy me so i also schitzophrenia and it helps keep my anger lvls down and intact havent felt truly angry in the 11 years ive smoked THE GOVERMENT NEEDS TO LEARN IT HAS A VERY HIGH MEDICAL POTENCY but they dont care