Matthew and Suzeanna Brill of Macon, Georgia lost custody of their son and are now facing charges of reckless conduct, after giving him marijuana to treat his seizures.1 How on earth is this still happening? Our hearts go out to them now.
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Georgia has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country and the wait list to get a medical marijuana card can be as long as six years, something his mother couldn’t wait on. (The state also forbids the sale of marijuana-based products and doctors are not allowed to prescribe it.)
The Brills began giving their teen, David, marijuana in February after other medical treatments and prescriptions had failed him. According to the Brills attorney, the marijuana allowed David go 71 days without a seizure.
However, given that it is illegal, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services had no choice but to take the teen away in April; he is now in a group home.
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After their story received nationwide attention, Twiggs County Sheriff, Darren Mitchum said, “It’s important to say, in my position as a sheriff, it doesn’t matter if I agree with the law, the fact is, marijuana is not legal in the state of Georgia.”2 The Sheriff claims that his office has received threats in response to the Brills plight.
The Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement last week via Facebook:
Suzeanne Brill said,
“We look at our child in a ball in the middle of the floor unable to do anything, but their entire body is convulsing and tensed up and you have to pick your child up, carry them to your vehicle because you live 45 minutes away from help. I hope no parent ever has to do that.” 3
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The couple will be back in court on June 14th to learn whether or not David will be returned to them. Our hearts go out to them. We will keep you updated as soon as we have more information to report.
