Alexis Bortell’s family administers cannabis oil to treat her epilepsy. She is seeking safe access for patients across the country.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been challenged by many including civil rights activists and his former U.S. Senate colleagues over potential collusion with Russia during the 2016 campaign. But his toughest challenge could be coming from a 12-year-old girl in Colorado.
Alexis Bortell was diagnosed with epilepsy as a young child. Traditional medications failed Alexis. A pediatrician suggested an alternative treatment, medical marijuana. Unfortunately, in Texas, medical marijuana is not legal. The Bortell family decided to move from Texas to Colorado where medical marijuana was available to her.
“As the seizures got worse, we had to move to Colorado to get cannabis because it’s illegal in Texas,” said Bortell according to Fox31 Denver.
After the move Bortell’s parents began administering one drop of cannabis oil in the morning and one at night. Since starting the regimen two and half years, Bortell has been seizure free.
“I’d say it`s a lot better than brain surgery,” Bortell said.
Unfortunately, Bortell feels she cannot visit her home state of Texas because marijuana is banned both in the state and federally.
“I would like to be able to visit my grandparents without risking being taken to a foster home,” Bortell said.
She has now joined a lawsuit that is trying to get medical marijuana legalized on the federal level.
Dean Bortell, Alexis’ father, can’t believe marijuana is still a Schedule I substance, viewed through the same dangerous lens as heroin an LSD by federal authorities.
“How is that rationale? It’s not compassionate either, but rationality? It’s just outrageous,” said Dean Bortell.
Alexis hopes her lawsuit will help remove the stigmas associated with marijuana use.
If medical marijuana is legalized federally “We’ll be able to be treated like what you call ‘normal’ families,” she said.
Alexis Bortell is determined and fighting for her right to medicate safely. Jeff Sessions may have to watch out.
