A 12 Year Old Girl With Epilepsy Is Suing Jeff Sessions Over Medical Marijuana

Why this potentially life saving drug isn't legalised, at least for medical usage across the United States is crazy. A 12 year old girl who has been able to stop having epileptic seizures due to cannabis, ye she cannot access this medical treatment in her home state.

kdvr.com...

LARKSPUR, Colo. -- Alexis Bortell is hardly the first child whose family moved to Colorado for access to medical marijuana.

But the 12-year-old is the first Colorado kid to sue U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions over the nation's official marijuana policy. Alexis Bortell "As the seizures got worse, we had to move to Colorado to get cannabis because it's illegal in Texas," said Bortell, who was diagnosed with epilepsy as a young child.

The sixth-grader said traditional medicine wasn't helping her seizures and doctors in her home state were recommending invasive brain surgery.

But a pediatrician did mention an out-of-state option: Medical marijuana.

Shortly after moving to Larkspur, Bortell's family began using a strain of cannabis oil called Haleigh's Hope. A drop of liquid THC in the morning and at night has kept her seizure-free for 2 1/2 years.

It's hardly Reefer Madness is it? Due to a DEA policy enacted in the 1970s we see people denied a potentially lifesaving medicine.

Her lawyer makes a compelling case.

Alexis' New York attorney Michael Hiller argues it should be legal nationwide.

"As it pertains to cannabis, the (Controlled Substances Act) is irrational and thus unconstitutional," said Heller, who added the U.S. government "made a representation that cannabis has medical application for the treatments of Parkinson`s Disease, HIV-induced dementia and Alzheimer's disease and yet at the same time the United States government maintains that there is absolutely no medical benefit for the use of cannabis. That is of course absurd."

She's not the only person suing the government.

Bortell is joined in the lawsuit by another child, a military veteran, a marijuana advocacy group and former Broncos player Marvin Washington, who played on the 1998 Super Bowl-winning team.

The federal government has already lost its first motion to have the case dismissed.

I hope the government continue to have to deal with the reality of legalized marijuana nationwide. The real criminals are the ones stopping access to life-saving medicines.

Legalize it now!

I don't understand by Marijuana is so "taboo" in American society, while toxic, man-made pain killers are worshipped to the point of triggering a national Opioid crisis.

a reply to: bgerbger

Wow - 2 drops a day kept her seizure free for over 2 years. That is so incredibly amazing! What wonderful parents to move to an entirely new state to help her get the remedy she needed.

A better way to get results in ANY movement is SOLIDARITY!!!

Every patient with a recommendation/letter from their doctor NEEDS TO JOIN THIS LAWSUIT.

Just because they're a couple kids and a veteran+ on board might make you feel fuzzy and warm, they NEED YOUR SUPPORT, not appreciation for a "feel good" story.

This could be applied to many things but people REFUSE to jump onboard and be heroic!! Take one for the team....for humanity, for dignity, for self determination.....remember that one!!???

This will not have the traction it needs if those that are at risk as well sit on the sidelines to see how it all pans out!!!

Can't we mutually understand that?????

GET TO WORK.. ORGANIZE....PETITION.. and stand firm!!!!!!!!

a reply to: bgerbger

First heard of a story similair to this relating Charlotte's web a few years ago. It is time that we release forgotten and forbidden knowledge. Repetitive recreational use can have some bad long term effects in certain cases, but certain drugs save lives but they are too easy to produce by the public so big pharma pushes for it to be illegal.

www.leafly.com...

At this point isn't it becoming a state issue? I know it's still a schedule 1 drug, but individual states (ie Washington, Colorado, ect ect) seem to be skirting this by using states right as it's argument. The fact that Texas didn't legalize it has nothing to do with Sessions, but rather to do with the state of Texas.

I know many of you can all sit here and say that the US Government shouldn't restrict it's use, but if some states are using the state rights point to legalize it, then shouldn't the State Governor's be asking the government to legalize it?

A 12 year old suing the US Attorney General smells like a publicity stunt more then a real cause. Also why Colorado? Other state have made medical MJ use legal so it would seem like there is more to this story then what it seems.

****EDITED SIDE NOTE****

Outside of getting into an argument because a 12 year old is at the root of this, I'm going to add this tid bit:

She's been using an unregulated narcotic for the last 2 1/2 years, and is now only making an issue of it?

a reply to: carewemust Because the pot kills millions every year. It will make one eat another persons face and rape cows.(sarc) On topic I really hope this girl gets access to the treatment that was working and that the case will be a testament for all to stand to have access to this treatment. The D.E.A. has failed because of a bogus journey and has cost lives, tax payers a unfortold amount of money. This has gotten out of hand. Let up on the pot and go after the real players.

here is the "elephant in the room" whenever one of these JUSTIFIED cases for medical marijuana (pot) comes up.

they are used as a smoke screen (no pun intended) for the RECREATIONAL USE of pot.

Yes I am saying it the pro pot people are using this girl not for medical but for LEGAL recreational use.

Now as I can sense the usual vitrol that is coming here is why this is ugly but true.

Has ANYONE really looked at a pot "dispensary"?
You go in with a GENERAL prescription and medical marijuana card. Then someone who IS NOT A MEDICAL OR PHARMACIST comes up and shows you all the pot they have. They are discussing strengths (thc content) , types, ect.
In short they are selling drugs like you would candy and the PERSON chooses what strength, how much, ect.

Tell me one (ex) CVS pharmacy that you go in for ANY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS that does that.

Then while you show this little girl (AGAIN I AGREE this may help her) you have OBVIOUSLY in good health college kids bragging about their "medical marijuana card" and how they can legally get high because they are "sick" while giggling .

Now look I am all for medical pot IF IT IS TREATED like any other drug. In short A PROVEN NEED, A PROVEN (or trying to find out MEDICALLY) dose/treatment that will help, and that this is the BEST MEDICINE for the job.

All done by MEDICAL DOCTORS that if they are pushing/abusing prescribing it when not needed (like any other drugs) they are punished.

in short if you want to make a case for medical uses of pot then by all means then do that.
If you want it for recreational use that is another SEPARATE CASE.

maybe if that were done this little girl and others like her could get the help they need.

Instead we get the two issues mixed, add the "big pharmacy companies dont want it" (BTW which is true ON ANY DRUG not just pot that interferes with their profits ) and stir with "big government is out to get you".

Scrounger

I think marijana should be legalized.

That being said this smacks of a politically motivated lawsuit with an 'innocent victim' / 'what about the children' kind of manipulation angle. I am not a fan of this kind of bull# lawsuit.

But, but, how can Big Pharma make record profits with all their miracle cures, when we can grow our own medicine?

I honestly believe that's a huge part of this. Drug companies know that medical marijuana works and they're afraid of losing profits. There are several cannabis based drugs being used to treat such things as anorexia or lack of appetite in cancer patients and have been for years.
Big Brother just doesn't want us treating ourselves, when they can make a profit from our misery.

originally posted by: Metallicus
I think marijana should be legalized.

That being said this smacks of a politically motivated lawsuit with an 'innocent victim' / 'what about the children' kind of manipulation angle. I am not a fan of this kind of bull# lawsuit.

Exactly. The only way to eliminate that facet is to join together behind her by every available patient that shares her plight.. Other than that, yes it's pretty transparent in its intent.

a reply to: DAVID64

Yep and they get a nice profit from keeping the prisons full.

originally posted by: Metallicus
I think marijana should be legalized.

That being said this smacks of a politically motivated lawsuit with an 'innocent victim' / 'what about the children' kind of manipulation angle. I am not a fan of this kind of bull# lawsuit.

I love it.. We have been trying to get archaic idiots like Sessions to listen to our pleas for 50 effing years and nothing has worked.

Why not sue his ass? People have died because they cant get it, or did not even know how much it would have helped them had it been legal.

We would have known all this decades ago and saved countless lives had it been legalized or at least not a schedule one,

originally posted by: Metallicus
I think marijana should be legalized.

That being said this smacks of a politically motivated lawsuit with an 'innocent victim' / 'what about the children' kind of manipulation angle. I am not a fan of this kind of bull# lawsuit.

Let me say while we disagree on general legalization we agree on using innocents as pawns.

Stand on your view, point, whatever and for the love of stop using children to do your dirty work.

Its refreshing two people with opposite views on a topic can find common ground

Scrounger

originally posted by: notsure1

originally posted by: Metallicus
I think marijana should be legalized.

That being said this smacks of a politically motivated lawsuit with an 'innocent victim' / 'what about the children' kind of manipulation angle. I am not a fan of this kind of bull# lawsuit.

I love it.. We have been trying to get archaic idiots like Sessions to listen to our pleas for 50 effing years and nothing has worked.

Why not sue his ass? People have died because they cant get it, or did not even know how much it would have helped them had it been legal.

We would have known all this decades ago and saved countless lives had it been legalized or at least not a schedule one,

there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between "trying to get archaic idiots....to listen to our pleas for 50 effing years and nothing has worked" to makings a SPECIFIC CASE for MEDICAL MARIJUANA use.

If your point is suing SPECIFICALLY for ONLY JUSTIFIED medical use I am all for a lawsuit.

But again lets be real.
Most of those jumping on this is for UNRESTRICTED use under the guise of medical.

If you think I am being unreasonable explain (as I previously pointed out) that "disperses" resemble nothing like a pharmacy in any way and that most (not all ) of those that have "medical marijuana cards" are not like this girl and mostly those looking to get legally high.

Scrounger

For all those that don´t know why cannabis(not the derogatory, US invented term marijuana) is forbidden in most of the robber baron capitalism ruled western nations?

Ask the pharma lobby, the tobacco lobby, the alcohol lobby!

And ask the rulers that are afraid of a selfthinking population, of people that take time to lean back and think, instead of running in the hamsterwheel 24/7, for "career", to make others rich and richer!

Then you have got your answer!

a reply to: DAVID64

“Big Pharma” makes medicinal marijuana.

a reply to: notsure1

I see your point, but why sue Sessions? He isn't the first 'archaic idiot' to hold his position on cannabis.

a reply to: scrounger

Most of those jumping on this is for UNRESTRICTED use under the guise of medical.

Even if that were true which its not.. SO??

originally posted by: Metallicus
a reply to: notsure1

I see your point, but why sue Sessions? He isn't the first 'archaic idiot' to hold his position on cannabis.

Why not Sessions? Seems like a great one to me.. This guy supported a bill to execute drug dealers in Alabama.

Execute !!!! for gods sake.

I have known alot of drug dealers over my life and most of them are just like everyone else, just trying to make some money.

And none of them should be executed.. Gd I hate that guy. .