The Minnesota Department of Health has added autism spectrum disorders and obstructive sleep apnea to the list of conditions that qualify for medical cannabis, reports Fox 9.
MDH used a formal petitioning process used to solicit public input on potential qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. State health officials say there was enough anecdotal and scientific evidence of the benefits of medical cannabis on autism and sleep apnea to support adding them to the list.
“Any policy decisions about cannabis are difficult due to the relative lack of published scientific evidence,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Ed Ehlinger said in a statement. “However, there is increasing evidence for potential benefits of medical cannabis for those with severe autism and obstructive sleep apnea.”
Victoria Grancarich of Chanhassen says medical cannabis has made all the difference for her 15-year-old son Julian. He lives with severe autism and also suffers from a seizure disorder which is how he initially became eligible for the treatment. Before he using medical cannabis Victoria says they and doctors tried everything with no luck. She says without medical cannabis her son would’ve taken his own life.
