At a time when the debate on the decriminalization and regulation of cannabis seems to have reached never seen before levels, the story of a five year old girl whose life was allegedly saved by a medicinal strain might bring the debate on the therapeutic uses of marijuana back to the spotlight in the U.S., where a dozen states currently allow its use to alleviate the symptoms of various diseases.
Seven year old Charlotte Figi has survived Dravet Syndrome, a strange genetic disorder that is not treatable with medicine and which causes severe epilepsy attacks which might cost those who suffer the disease their lives, thanks to a marijuana strain that does not alter the perception of its users.
According to an Associated Press report via ABC, in 2011, Charlotte Figi, then five years old, was close to losing her life many times due to her disease, which had caused her up to 300 attacks in a week. The minor's parents, Matt and Paige Figi tried a series of regimes to help their daughter; however, everything they tried had secondary effects.
Finally, when the minor's parents were about to give up, Matt discovered a video of a child suffering from Dravet who was cured with marijuana.
According to CNN, the strain used in this case was low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, and had high amounts of cannabidiol (CBD), a substance with medical uses.
Charlotte's Web
When Charlotte started her treatment with the new medicinal strain, she could barely talk and was confined to a wheelchair. Her parents went to the Stanley brothers, well known in Colorado as marijuana producers.
The Stanley brothers, who get donations from sponsors and give away strains to sick people managed to design a strain and a special oil that in two years has reduced the girl's epileptic attack.
Under the name "Charlotte's Web", the new strain has helped other patients with epilepsy and cancer, which has caused that residents and parents of sick children living in states where marijuana is banned to turn their gaze to Colorado.
On the other hand, the ABC highlights that doctors have said that so for there is no evidence on the effectiveness of this new strain, and even worse, due to the lack of official medical information, there is a very real risk that unauthorized providers offer fake Charlotte Web.
Despite this, various families with epileptic children have moved to Colorado to treat their children and legally acquire the new strain.
"She can walk, eat in the car. I will fight for anyone who wants this," said Paige Figi, Charlotte's mother.