If a parent is asked what his or her greatest concern is, the response will frequently be a concern for the health and well-being of his or her child. When a child suffers from health issues, that can become a parent’s primary focus. There are instances where parents have risked losing custody of their children over religious differences between their faith and their child’s recommended medical care. In a current case, parents risk losing a child custody battle because they sought a treatment that is not legal in the state of Georgia but proved effective in treating their son’s seizure disorder.
The child suffers from a seizure disorder and seizure medication had not been successful at reducing theM. The child’s parents wanted to try medicinal marijuana as it has been shown to be effective in treating seizures and is backed by an FDA panel as a treatment for that purpose. While medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, Georgia is not one of those states. Low levels of THC can be obtained by prescription if a person has a medical marijuana card. The waiting list to receive a card is six long years.
The parents obtained marijuana illegally. After first trying it to ensure it was ok, they gave it to their son. He recently went 71 days without a seizure for the first time in his life. Child protective services were notified of the activity and the child was removed from the parent’s custody. The child again began suffering from seizures.
Parents try to do the best for their children. For Georgia parents facing child custody issues over health care, seeking legal counsel may prove beneficial. A knowledgeable attorney may be able to assist the family and advise them on what legal path to pursue.