Inspiration behind Ashley’s Law again seeking legal changes to retain access to medical marijuana

The 19-year-old Schaumburg woman who inspired Illinois’ Ashley’s Law in 2018 to have access to her medical marijuana patches while in school is again seeking legal changes to allow them to be delivered across state lines.

For the past eight years, the particular patches created by Mary’s Medicinals of Colorado and manufactured locally under license by Green Thumb Industries (GTI) of Chicago have kept Ashley Surin seizure-free and engaged with the world, her mother Maureen said.

Diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 2, Ashley’s life was further complicated by epilepsy, autism and a concussion suffered during a fall from a seizure, even after beating the cancer, Maureen said.

But the time-released medical patches have kept her active in both work and extracurricular activities as she progresses through Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211’s Adult Transition Program for special needs students.

“It brought her back into the world as a productive young woman,” Maureen said. “Her physical strength got better.”

But then came word this fall that Mary’s Medicinals was withdrawing from the Illinois market. Without its license, GTI is unable to manufacture the particular patches Ashley uses. Her current supply will barely last until mid-January.

Mary’s Medicinals did not respond to a request for comment, and GTI declined comment.

But Maureen recognizes the decision of Mary’s Medicinals as the primary reason for her dilemma.

“My daughter’s life is at the mercy of a vendor and the laws,” she said. “My daughter’s life is at the mercy of a business plan.”

The patches remain available as nearby as Michigan, but it’s illegal to bring such marijuana products across state lines. Maureen said breaking the law or asking anyone else to should not be her only options.

“Interstate commerce is not a thing with marijuana,” she said. “We need a new law and we need it now. I’m sure there’s a path to her medicine but I don’t know what it is.”

Feeling that a federal law is the most likely way forward, Maureen and her husband Jim have reached out to the office of U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in their own hometown but have not yet received a conclusive response.

The office also didn’t immediately respond to a Daily Herald inquiry.

Ashley’s family remains concerned about the possible consequences of even slow progress in their quest.

“She could get her seizures back,” Maureen said. “We’re walking backward.”

Given the time it took to find the solution they have today, the Surins say experimenting with different products and blends is risky. Because of obstacles in Ashley’s ability to communicate, she may not be able to verbally express changes in the way other medications make her feel.

“It’s not like changing flavors of Skittles,” Maureen said. “Anything new is a gamble. I need a health-care law. We’re spinning our wheels over something that exists. My daughter is worth every minute I can fight this. She’s my hero.”