By Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star
A lawmaker will try to force state health officials to allow the use of medical marijuana to treat autism, which they have previously rejected.
The proposal by state Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-Tolleson, would add “autism spectrum disorder” to the list of what a 2010 voter-approved law considers “debilitating medical conditions” for which a doctor can recommend marijuana use by patients.
Espinoza said parents want that as an option for treating some symptoms as an alternative to other medications.
House Bill 2049 also would allow the use of marijuana by people suffering from opioid use disorder. Espinoza said he sees the use of marijuana as far preferable to people dying in his legislative district from opioid overdoses.
