29.03.2024

Mother pulls son out of school because he is not allowed to use a medical cannabis pill in class

But staff at Estancia Elementary School have refused to let him use the medication in classes despite New Mexico being one of 30 states where medical marijuana is legal, insisting state laws allow campuses to ban the substance.

A mother has pulled her son out of classes after officials at his New Mexico school refused to let him use medical cannabis pills on campus – even though the drug is legal under state laws.

For years, 10-year-old Anthony Brick has battled undifferentiated schizophrenia, PTSD and ADHD, which has left him in and out of hospitals with delusions, hallucinations, jumbled speech, disorganized thought and – at times – in a catatonic state.

His mother, Tisha, says things began to change after doctors prescribed him new medication, a pill with medical cannabis oil.

‘He couldn’t do his schoolwork. He really didn’t talk to very many people – medical cannabis has changed it to where he is more sociable,’ Tisha told KOB 4.

Tisha Brick (right), of New Mexico, was forced to pull her 10-year-old son Anthony (left) out of school after officials refused to let him use a medical cannabis pill in class

Anthony was prescribed pills with medical cannabis oil (pictured) to treat his years-long battle with undifferentiated schizophrenia, PTSD and ADHD

‘He can actually learn a little bit better and he can be around people and function like a normal person.’

Early research has shown that one of marijuana’s main compounds, cannabis-derived chemical cannabidiol (CBD), may be a type of treatment therapy for schizophrenia.

In the landmark 2017 study from the University of Wollongong in Australia, CBD was shown to act as an anti-psychotic and reduce hallucinations and delusions, common symptoms of the disorder.

Wollongong PhD candidate Ashleigh Osborne said at the time that CBD helped restore recognition and working memory ‘as well as social behavior, to normal levels’ and that research showed that CBD may help treat symptoms of schizophrenia that seem resistant to existing medications.

Additionally, the plant’s main psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, affixes to brain cell receptors that help regulate mood, sleep patterns and pain perception. Scientists also believe that THC reacts with the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotion, and helps reduce anxiety, which would curb PTSD symptoms.

Despite the medication’s benefits, school staff told Tisha that she would not be able to administer it on campus. Despite the medication’s benefits and his patient ID card, school staff told Tisha (pictured) that she would not be able to administer it on campus

Currently, Anthony (pictured) is one of more than 50,000 patients participating in New Mexico’s medical marijuana program with about half listing post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying condition

The superintendent wrote in a letter to the family that, despite Anthony carrying a patient ID card saying he is a member of the medical cannabis program, marijuana is not allowed on school property according to a state law.

The Lynn And Erin Compassionate Use Act states that participation in the state’s marijuana program does not prohibit schools from banning it on school grounds or property.

Tisha pulled Anthony out of school in November, which has left him unable to keep up with his studies or interact with other children.

‘It’s very frustrating,’ she told KOB 4. ‘He’s been out of school for the whole school year. It’s impacted our lives in ways you can’t even imagine.’

Tisha says she wants state legislators to help change local laws so that marijuana will be allowed on school grounds.

It currently remains unclear whether or not Anthony will continue to be home-schooled. Tisha pulled Anthony out of Estancia Elementary School (above) in November, which has left him unable to keep up with his studies or interact with other children

Medical marijuana is legal in 30 states with Utah and Oklahoma both believed to be legalizing the drug by this November as public opinion of the drug becomes increasingly positive

Currently, more than 50,000 patients are participating in New Mexico’s medical marijuana program with about half listing post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying condition – one of Anthony’s own diagnosed conditions.

Patients must meet at least one of 21 conditions for a medical marijuana card. The other most common qualifying conditions include severe chronic pain and cancer. Medical marijuana is legal in 30 states with Utah and Oklahoma both believed to be legalizing the drug by this November.

A 2017 poll from the Pew Research Center found that 61 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana, nearly double the number from two decades ago in 2000. Opinions of legalization differ by political party, with 70 percent of Democrats supporting it compared with 65 percent of Independents and just 43 percent of Republicans.

However, 90 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana for medical use.

THE STATE OF MARIJUANA IN 2018

Marijuana is expected to have a big year in 2018 as advocates in several states move to legalize it for medical and recreational use. Five states including Kentucky, South Dakota and Missouri are considering legalizing the drug for medical use, joining the 30 other states that have already done so.

At least four states including Delaware and Ohio are considering legalizing recreational marijuana, which is currently legal in nine states and Washington, DC.

Medical marijuana states:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Washington DC
  • West Virginia

Recreational marijuana states:

  • Alaska
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Nevada
  • Oregon
  • Vermont
  • Washington

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