Carwile, a mother of two, continues to utilize scientific evidence, credible medical professionals’ letters of support and the precedence set by other U.S. states to fight for approval for medical cannabis as a treatment of autism spectrum disorder to improve quality of life both for Jaxsyn, who has autism, and other Ohioans with the condition.
Despite a subcommittee of the Ohio State Medical Board’s recommendation of approval last year, the board, after twice delaying a decision, ultimately rejected a 500-page petition put together by Carwile in an attempt to get ASD on the list of more than 20 conditions already approved for treatment with the medication.
Several of those approved conditions can be found within the wide-ranging and variable diagnosis of ASD.
The board collectively cited a lack of authority to restrict pediatric use and the permanency of such a decision as some of the main factors for the denial.
Cannabis is approved for pediatric use in Ohio for other conditions. “Why are our kids the exception when they suffer from an array of these qualifying conditions as symptoms of autism?” asked Carwile. “It is cruel at this point for them to deny and that’s putting it lightly.” A new, but familiar, fight
While the board’s refusal is not permanent, Carwile says she has now taken to contacting state legislators to supplement efforts, reaching out to every single one.
At the national level, Carwile was recently contacted by the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH). Brown indicated via office correspondence he would be passing along her information and personal plea for focus on the issue to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for review. Carwile said she’s also had direct conversation with Rep. Beth Liston (D-Franklin County) and Emilia Sykes (D-Akron).
It’s the latest step in her advocacy for some 44,000 Ohioans with ASD diagnoses. “I look at my son and I see thousands of stories in his eyes and in the words he can’t say,” said Carwile. “It’s enough to break your heart honestly.”
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