Medical Marijuana Can Now Be Used To Treat Autism And Sleep Apnea

State health department officials released Thursday that autism and sleep apnea were added to the list of conditions qualified for use of medical marijuana.

Minnesota expanded the use of medical marijuana after "increasing evidence" was found in support of treatment for people with severe autism or sleep apnea.

"Any policy decisions about cannabis are difficult due to the relative lack of published scientific evidence. However, there is increasing evidence for potential benefits of medical cannabis for those with severe autism and obstructive sleep apnea," Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said in a statement Thursday.

Those who suffer from such conditions will be able to enroll in the medical marijuana program in July of 2018 and will be able to receive their marijuana from either of the two state providers the following month.

A Minnesota mother told KMSP Thursday that the use of medical marijuana helped her 15-year-old who suffers from severe autism.

“Nothing else stopped the self-injurious behavior and the aggression we were seeing every day for a year,” said Victoria Grancarich. "Language is emerging, I’m teaching him to type, he’s mastering programs at school because how can a person possibly learn when they’re in that much pain? so now I think this is the first time in his life he’s really been pain-free."

The current conditions that qualify for Minnesota include glaucoma, Tourette’s syndrome, PTSD and seizures.