There is some movement in the United States Senate on making medical marijuana less risky. Three senators introduced a bill in March that would allow use in states where it is legal without fear of federal prosecution.
The proposed bill is gaining support from parents who use medical marijuana to treat their sick children. Parent said marijuana is a safer option than mainstream pharmaceuticals. Some of those parents attended a forum at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco to advocate for more medical marijuana access.
"I'm a conservative Christian Republican from Texas so this is far off my radar," parent Thalia Michelle said.
Doctors have diagnosed her son, Lance, with autism.
"He was non verbal, lots of aggression, lots of self-injuring behavior," Michelle said.
Michelle formed the group Mothers Advocating Medical Marijuana for Autism, or MAMMA, to help raise awareness about the need for families to have access to marijuana.
Advocates said the medical industry is beginning to see cannabis as a treatment option.
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"Now what you're seeing are specialists, cancer specialists, epilepsy specialists, autism specialists who are learning about how cannabis can be used for these conditions," said Amanda Reiman with the Drug Policy Alliance.
Michelle said it is an option the federal government should legalize.
"Medical marijuana is not nearly as dangerous as a heavy-duty narcotic," she said.
