Thursday, December 19, 2013
YOUNGSTOWN — Local families with young children suffering from epileptic seizures urged state officials to pass legislation that would legalize medicinal marijuana to help treat their medical condition.
Two of the families are moving early next month to Colorado. The use of oil from a strain of marijuana has apparently resulted in significant improvements to some children with epilepsy, according to an article in The Gazette, a Colorado Springs newspaper.
Hunter Shaffer of North Lima, the 7-year-old son of Jeremy and Dana, had his first seizure when he was 2, and has a seizure about every 10 seconds, his mother said today.
The various medicines he’s taken have caused other medical problems, leaving him with the mental capacity of a 3-year-old, Dana said.
So the couple and their son are moving Jan. 2 to Colorado, leaving behind their family, friends, home and jobs.
State Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, a longtime proponent of legalizing medical marijuana, and Ohio Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, had a roundtable discussion today at the B&O Banquet Hall on Mahoning Avenue with local families who have children with epilepsy; Dr. Thomas E. Albani, a Canfield doctor; and John Pardee, president of Ohio Rights Group, which wants to get a medical marijuana initiative on the statewide ballot next year.
For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com