Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2014
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Tribune Co.
Contact: http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-letters/
Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: William March

PROBE INTO USE OF POT OIL TO HELP BOY ENDS

BRANDON --- A child abuse investigation has been closed with a finding
of innocence in the case of Renee Petro, a Fishhawk mother who's
seeking to use a medical marijuana derivative to help her
brain-damaged, epilepsy-stricken child.

Pleased at the outcome, Petro went to see Gov. Rick Scott as he made
an appearance in Brandon on Tuesday as part of a statewide re-election
campaign kickoff tour.

In a brief conversation with Scott after his speech, Petro thanked him
for promising to sign a bill just passed by the state Legislature that
would legalize the derivative and urged him to learn more about
medical uses of marijuana.

Scott responded with sympathy for her family's difficulties, noting
that he feels fortunate because he and his wife "have two healthy
children and three healthy grandchildren."

Petro, profiled in the Tribune in January, got an unannounced visit
last month from child abuse investigators with the Hillsborough County
sheriff's office, apparently looking into allegations that she had
given her 12-year-old son Branden marijuana illegally.

The sheriff's office handles child abuse investigations for the state
Department of Children and Families.

A female deputy questioned Petro and her 9-year-old daughter,
photographed Branden and asked to look at his medical records and
medications, Petro said.

Petro says she has never given her son marijuana, but says she obtains
a legal oil derived from hemp that contains high concentrations of a
chemical found in marijuana believed to help prevent seizures in
children stricken with epilepsy.

The chemical, cannabidiol or CBD, doesn't cause a marijuana high. The
oil contains little or none of the chemical that does, which is
tetrahyrdrocannabinol or THC.

She also gives Branden an array of drugs intended to prevent seizures
and allay other mental and physical problems. She told Scott the boy
has become "an addict to pharma drugs."

Petro said she received a letter recently from informing her that the
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office case has been closed "with no
indicators of abuse, neglect or abandonment." The letter came from
Maj. Robert Bullara with the office's child protective investigation
division.

"Of course I feel happy, but this should be an eye-opener to people
that we're vulnerable to this," Petro said. "I feel this was a total
victory. If you're not doing anything wrong you shouldn't be treated
like this."

Bullara couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday; Sheriff's Office
spokeswoman Debbie Carter said under state law, the department can't
discuss or even confirm or deny the existence of a child abuse
investigation.

Petro's husband and Branden's father, Fadi Petro, is an Army colonel
who works with the U.S. diplomatic service and spends most of his time
in the Middle East, usually coming home for about four visits a year.
Renee Petro said her husband has been seeking a compassionate leave
because of the investigation.

Fadi Petro told the Tribune in an interview that he, like his wife,
doesn't want to administer illegal marijuana but does want to be able
to try a medicinal marijuana product to help their son.

Until age 8, according to his parents' description and photos, Branden
was a bright, happy, athletic child.

That year, he was stricken by a sudden, devastating infection, leaving
him comatose, while the family was on a visit to her ancestral home in
the Middle East.

He emerged from the coma with severe brain damage, and had to learn to
walk and talk again. The damage caused a form of epilepsy including
frequent seizures, severe learning disabilities, suicidal depression,
aggressiveness and withdrawal.

Renee Petro said his seizures sometimes leave him partially paralyzed
and with difficulty breathing. She fears they could kill him.
Medications haven't controlled them, but neurologists say there's
evidence some children with the same syndrome benefit from marijuana
derivatives.

In January, Petro testified in Tallahassee on a bill, since passed,
that would legalize a marijuana derivative called "Charlotte's Web,"
high in CBD but low in THC. It was named for a Colorado child whose
seizures, similar to Branden's, were alleviated.

The Florida bill passed both houses and Scott has told legislators
he'll sign it, said House Speaker Will Weatherford, who attended
Scott's event in Brandon.
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