Dear Senator Rick Jones, I am writing this in effects to help my son and many others like him. My son Gannon is now two years old. He was born with three heart defects. The first being a patent ductus arteriosus, (Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart problem that occurs soon after birth in some babies. In PDA, abnormal blood flow occurs between two of the major arteries connected to the heart. Before birth, the two major arteries—the aorta and the pulmonary (PULL-mun-ary) artery—are connected by a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus. This vessel is an essential part of fetal blood circulation. Within minutes or up to a few days after birth, the vessel is supposed to close as part of the normal changes occurring in the baby's circulation. In some babies, however, the ductus arteriosus remains open (patent). This opening allows oxygen-rich blood from the aorta to mix with oxygen-poor blood from the pulmonary artery. This can put strain on the heart and increase blood pressure in the lung arteries.) The second being an atrial septal defect. (A "hole" in the wall that separates the top two chambers of the heart. This defect allows oxygen-rich blood to leak into the oxygen-poor blood chambers in the heart. ASD is a defect in the septum between the heart's two upper chambers (atria). The septum is a wall that separates the heart's left and right sides.) The third heart defect he has is a bicuspid aortic valve. (The aortic valve is a one-way valve between the heart and the aorta, the main artery from the heart that distributes oxygen-rich blood to the body. Normally, the aortic valve has three small flaps or leaflets that open widely and close securely to regulate blood flow, allowing blood to flow from the heart to the aorta and preventing blood from flowing backwards into the heart. In bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAVD), the valve has only two leaflets. With this deformity, the valve doesn’t function perfectly, but it may function adequately for years without causing symptoms or obvious signs of a problem.) He was also born with a heart/lung disease called pulmonary hypertension. (High blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs is called pulmonary hypertension (PH) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The blood pressure measured by a cuff on your arm isn't directly related to the pressure in your lungs. The blood vessels that supply the lungs constrict and their walls thicken, so they can't carry as much blood. As in a kinked garden hose, pressure builds up and backs up. The heart works harder, trying to force the blood through. If the pressure is high enough, eventually the heart can't keep up, and less blood can circulate through the lungs to pick up oxygen. Patients then become tired, dizzy and short of breath.) Each of these can effect his quality of life. They can also effect his health. He is currently on two medications for his PH but that requires monthly blood work to monitor liver enzymes, kidney function and heart markers. At two years old, the only thing I should be worried about is him eating something off the floor or falling while trying to climb. I should not have to worry about medications possible harming further. He is not a candidate for heart surgery either. His cardiologist stated that performing surgery to close the two holes in his heart would put him into heart failure. Can you imagine being told that fixing your child's heart would put that child into heart failure? My many hours of research and digging through the wonderful world wide web have shown me time and time again that cannabidiol oil can significantly help my son. CBD oil have shown that it lowers the heart pressure. Gannon's heart pressure is more than double what is should be. That is a lot for a small child. I do not know if this physically effects my son, due to the fact that he does not speak yet. I frequently discuss with his cardiologist about options and treatment to hopefully get him off the medications he is on and to get him on CDB oil. I will never stop fighting for my son and for other children to get away from pharmaceuticals. So I am asking you to help us add heart and lung diseases to the Michigan approved list for use of CDB oil in pediatrics. You could help thousands of children have a better quality of life and more time away from doctors and hospitals. They deserve a chance to be children and to LIVE. Sincerely, Gabrielle Reynolds Mother of a CHD child, Administrative Assistant to a Police Department, Receptionist to a local Municipality.