Hemp Oil A Life-Changing Medicine For Carrollton Child
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CARROLLTON(CBSDFW.COM) - Landmark legislation is headed to Governor Greg Abbott that will legalize a limited form of medical marijuana for use in Texas. It's validation for a Carrollton mother who says it's been a miracle drug for her young daughter.
Harper Howard is far from a typical five-year-old. She has what's known as CDKL5 disorder. She's unable to talk, eat or walk because of a rare brain condition that can cause deadly seizures.
"It's like she's been electrocuted but there's no plug to pull. Her eyes roll in the back of her head she holds her breath," explains Harper's mother, Penny Howard.
When her mother learned of the success of medical marijuana on seizures, she found a legal form in Texas called hemp oil to give to Harper.
"We saw a documentary in 2013 and it was on the use of medical marijuana," Howard says.
Within days Harper's mother documented a dramatic drop in seizures and two years later Harper is able to develop mentally without the devastating mental setbacks seizures can cause.
"She's more alert she's interactive," says Howard.
The hemp oil has not only almost eliminated Harper's seizures, it's also unlocked a personality her parents didn't even know she had.
"we got to know her over the past few years when using this product she's hidden she's trapped in her own body," says Howard.
Medical marijuana is similar to what Harper receives. It's approval by the state legislature for limited use in Texas offers hope for parents like Penny Howard that the medical benefits of the drug will no longer be overshadowed by its recreational use.
"You have to live our life before you judge," says Howard.
This may be the only legalized marijuana-related law passed in Texas anytime soon. Governor Abbott says the state will not legalize the drug for medicinal or recreational use as long as he's in office.
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