Medical Marijuana Fight for Scotch Plains Toddler Bolstered by Legislators

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Residents of this New Jersey town Brian and Meghan Wilson have made headlines this week for their fight to enroll their two-year-old daughter Vivian in the state's medical marijuana program.

Vivian has Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that causes frequent and violent seizures, according to a report in The Star-Ledger. Her parents had hoped to enroll Vivian so they could try a strain of pot that's seen some success in Colorado and California eliminating seizures in children. But the Wilsons were met with obstacles, including satisfying the requirement that a psychiatrist sign off on Vivian's treatment and a state restriction against edible marijuana products.

The Wilsons have been writing lawmakers for help with their plight. Two Union County lawmakers they approached came out Thursday in support. State Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D) and State Senator Nicholas Scutari (D), announced the draft of their bill that would make it easier for children to qualify and benefit from the program.

When Gov. Chris Christie was asked about the Wilson's situation earlier this week during a press conference in Lavallette, he responded that he was "very concerned, if we go down this slope of allowing minors to use this, where it ends. So I'll have the health commissioner look at it, report back to me, but I don't want to mislead people either, I'm not inclined to allow them to have it."