The state is holding a public hearing Wednesday on a request to add autism to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana.
Lisa Smith of Van Buren Township filed the request to add the disorder to the list.
Smith said her autistic son's severe behavior stopped after taking medical marijuana orally to treat a different condition.
Colleen Allen, president of the Autism Alliance of Michigan, said alternative treatments for the disorder require more study.
“We’re not saying they don’t work for some kids," Allen said. "[But] just because it works for one child doesn’t mean it should be recommended for groups of children.”
Allen said her organization relies on treatments that have been vetted on larger groups of children.
“Until those kinds of studies surface, I would be hard pressed to endorse using [medical marijuana] for all children with autism,” Allen said.
The state's Medical Marijuana Review Panel will take public comments on the matter before making a final recommendation to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
