Pubdate: Fri, 18 Mar 2016
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2016 Associated Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/bf0vhqGQ
Website: http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81

YOUNG ADVOCATE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A 13-year-old medical marijuana advocate who 
moved from Connecticut to Maine so she could access cannabis to treat 
a rare form of epilepsy has died.

Two medical marijuana advocacy groups say Cyndimae Meehan died Sunday 
in her family's Augusta home. She had a severe form of epilepsy known 
as Dravet syndrome.

Her mother moved her to Maine to access medical marijuana after 
failed attempts to treat the girl's frequent seizures using federally 
approved drugs. Connecticut doesn't allow pediatric medical marijuana use.

A family friend and medical marijuana advocate says Cyndimae regained 
her strength and stopped using a wheelchair once she began taking 
cannabis oil. The family became medical marijuana advocates, often 
testifying on state medical marijuana bills.

The family is planning a funeral in Connecticut.
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