Young Girl, 7, Who Helped Legalize Cannabidiol in Wisconsin Passes Away

Young Girl, 7, Who Helped Legalize Cannabidiol in Wisconsin Passes Away

A young girl, 7, who became the face of the movement to legalize the cannabis compound cannabidiol in the State of Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered (and will benefit thousands) for years to come.

Lydia Schaeffer suffered from a chromosome disorder called Kleefstra syndrome, in addition to being autistic and epileptic. Her mother, Sally Schaeffer, recently began lobbying lawmakers in her state to legalize cannabidiol, a compound found in cannabis that has been shown to greatly help those with seizure disorders such as epilepsy. Lydia had tried numerous medications, with none of them having the desired effect of significantly improving Lydia’s life without dangerous side-effects.

The lobbying done by the Schaeffer family was hugely influential in helping to get Assembly Bill 726 passed by the state’s legislature. The measure, which was signed into law by Governor Scott Walker last month with Lydia right behind him, legalizes the possession and use of cannabidiol for those who receive a recommendation from a physician; practitioners are authorized to distribute the medicine.

Although Lydia may not be around to reap the benefits of this new proposal, the impact she made on lawmakers, and the public, is something that won’t soon be forgotten.

– TheJointBlog