Tampa, Florida – On Tuesday in Tallahassee, just blocks away from the Florida State Capitol building, a new store opened it’s doors. For the first time in Florida, Medical Marijuana is legally available.
Renee Petro hoped to be there, but her son’s health would not allow it. Petro’s son Branden, suffers from a rare form of seizures that she believes can be treated with cannabis.
Even though she couldn’t be there, Petro was cautiously optimistic about the opening of the store.
“As a newcomer to understanding that Cannabis is medicine, this is very exciting. Quite frankly, I think it’s very historic,” said Petro.
The dispensary opening in Tallahassee is the result of the state legislature giving very limited approval for medical marijuana in 2014.
Currently, only patients suffering from cancer, epilepsy, chronic seizures and chronic muscle spasms can order medical marijuana by contacting their physician, as long as both are in a state registry.
On Tuesday, Branden Petro became the 15th person in the state certified to receive medical marijuana according to his mother.
Still Renee Petro believes the low THC marijuna being offered at the dispensary in Tallahassee falls short of what her son really needs.
“Unfortunately, what will be available will not help Brandon,” said Petro.
She believes there are forms of marijuana available that will help her son.
She took him to California, where more varieties of marijuana are available and she found it was able to help his condition.
“You have a natural, happy, healthy, regulated brain and you’re not perhaps psychotic or depressed. You are able to eat. It regenerates new cell growth. It stabilizes your brain in a natural way,” said Petro.
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