Medical Marijuana Changed Darrell Johns' Life, Though Now Georgia's MMJ Program Is Riddled With Delays, Worrying His Parents

When Darrell Johns of Macon Georgia was 13 he weighed only 40 pounds and had at least five seizures per week for which his mother gave him 17 pills per day that she had to crush and administer through a tube. Some pills were valium-based and left Darrell groggy and lethargic.

Medical Marijuana Provides Darrell With Life-Changing Relief

Fast forward to 2015 when Darrell’s parents began giving him medical marijuana treatments, which led to a seizure-free year and a notable improvement in his overall condition. This therapeutic journey was marked by a heartwarming milestone, wrote Ross Williams of the Georgia Recorder, when Darrell spoke his first word, "Mama," shortly after commencing the treatment.

Since starting medical marijuana (MMJ), Darrell has also gained weight, started speaking simple words, and only has to take two pills a day. He’s able to do his favorite things, like riding in his dad's motorcycle sidecar and watching his favorite TV shows.

Now...Problems Getting MMJ

Darrell's mother Leslie Johns says that she has been having problems getting her medical marijuana (MMJ) card renewed. She filed to renew it in April, but it has not yet arrived. She’s called the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) several times, but no one there seems to have a solution for the Johns family.

“It is frustrating because my husband works, so he would have to stop what he’s doing to go to the dispensary when I should be able to do it myself because I’m with Darrel 24/7,” said Leslie, whose husband Tim also has an MMJ card as one of Darrell’s caregivers. 

Advocates Call The Johns Family ‘Courageous’

Hemp Box Etc founder and CEO Sandy Moore who spoke at the recent Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Miami about helping her fellow veterans cope with PTSD called the Johns "courageous." Hemp Box is Georgia's first hemp and CBD food truck located at community events around the Atlanta Metro area.

“There is a shared general trust in medicinal cannabis, compared to mainstream healthcare pharmaceuticals, in part, because of its effectiveness and lessened side effects," Moore told Benzinga. "The Johns were open to providing a better quality of life to their son and took a courageous stance to seek out the alternative.”

The Johns are not the only ones having issues with the DPH's medical cannabis card renewal process. Steve Vancore, a spokesman for Trulieve TCNNF, which is operating in Georgia, says they’ve heard from many patients who have encountered delays in getting their cards renewed. 

“Not only have they had delays, but the fact that they must also drive to a location, given the severity of qualifying conditions, makes it even more difficult,” Vancone said. “It is important to note that the staff at the Department of Public Health have been working hard to improve the system and we believe that they too recognize the challenges facing these patients.”

Read more HERE at the Georgia Register

Come and talk with medical marijuana experts as well as cannabis movers like Sandy Moore and Trulieve's CEO Kim Rivers who is a keynote speaker at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on September 27 and 28. 

All information is available on bzcannabis.com