Medical marijuana is one step closer to becoming legal in Kentucky. For one mother in Hardin County, it would be a life-changing decision.
Julie Cantwell’s son, Preston, has drug-resistant epilepsy. She said they’ve seen neurologists in four states trying to get Preston help since he was 4 years old.
“Nothing could ever stop the seizures,” she said.
Cantwell made the choice in 2015 to travel to Colorado to try CBD oil, which at the time, wasn’t widely available in Kentucky. She said that worked for a few years, it has not been as successful lately.
“(CBD) oil did work for a little bit, but he needs more than just that,” she said. “It’s not working like it was before.”
She said Kentucky House Bill 136, which passed through the House Judiciary Committee Thursday with a 15-1 vote, would allow them to try medical marijuana.
A proponent for medical marijuana since 2015, Cantwell was there in Frankfort Thursday when the bill passed through Committee. She said it was an emotional event.
“I cried like a baby, to be honest with you,” she said. “We were very excited that he had passed out of Committee.”
She said she’s confident the bill will pass this week when it reaches the House floor. She said she believes there are some legislators that are worried the bill will lead to the legalization of recreational marijuana.
“I don’t think it’s fair that you would hurt patients because of something that may or may not even happen in Kentucky,” Cantwell said of the idea. “This is about patients.”
So far, 37 states have legalized medical marijuana. HB136 would only approve medical marijuana for cancer; chronic, severe, intractable, or debilitating pain; epilepsy or any other intractable seizure disorder; multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity; and nausea or vomiting. An amendment seeks to add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of approved medical conditions.
Cantwell says there will be a medical cannabis advocacy day from 9 am to 2 pm in the basement of the Capitol Annex Building in Frankfort on Wednesday.
“We’re just asking any patients to come out and talk to the legislators,” she said.
Seth Dukes can be reached at 270-505-1413 or sdukes@thenewsenterprise.com.
