Part 4/9:
Currently, only 12 states recognize autism as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis, with a few others including it as an eligible reason for treatment. Many states—33 in total—still have strict prohibitions, preventing families from accessing cannabis-based therapies. For many, the legal barriers reinforce the stigma associated with cannabis, often rooted in the "Just say no" culture of the 1980s and 1990s.
Despite these restrictions, personal testimonies like Jenni’s and emerging scientific research are gradually shifting perceptions. She recalls her upbringing during the Nancy Reagan era, emphasizing her initial reluctance; however, her desperation for her son's wellbeing pushed her to reconsider cannabis as a medicinal tool.