Marijuana for Autism Continues to Spark Debate

As more states continue to approve the use of both recreational and medical marijuana, the debate about marijuana for autism continues to come to the forefront. While hemp-based CBD for autism has become relatively mainstream for those within the autism community, there’s still a high reluctance by caregivers to fully transition to cannabis & THC-derived treatment plans due to safety and efficacy concerns (especially among minors), as well as the general stigma that’s often associated with marijuana use in different parts of the country.

Despite countless testimonials from autism parents about how marijuana has helped save their children, some physicians have been very critical of its use and claim there is little data to support its effectiveness, arguing that prolonged treatment can have implications for those on the autism spectrum. And as one of our authors previously pointed out, the use of psychotropics and other mind-altering drugs for autism can sometimes result in undesired consequences.

All caveats aside, there is little doubt about the potential benefits of marijuana use which include can everything from reducing/eliminating seizure episodes to increasing appetites of picky eaters. As with all medication and treatment plans, each patient and/or caregiver will need consult with their physicians and evaluate all the potential side effects and risk/reward ratios.

One of the earliest public advocates of marijuana for autism is Mieko Hester-Perez, who brought her low functioning son with autism from the brink of death through a marijuana treatment plan. Ten years after her story went public, she is now a passionate advocate and cannabis consultant, while her son Joey continues to flourish.

You can see here original story below:

Marijuana use for autism has many pros and cons, but there are many, like Hester-Perez, who will argue any potential negative effects will be highly outweighed by the benefits.

It’s important to remember that although marijuana may be legal in some states, it’s still considered a controlled substance at the federal level. In addition, the use of medical marijuana by minors (where permitted) will always require caregiver approval and consent, as well as close supervision by doctors.

The following CBD legality chart is current as of 2019, but marijuana and CBD laws are very dynamic, so further confirmation should be obtained from other sources:

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Chart Source: CBDORIGIN.COM