STIGMA IS SIDE EFFECT OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA, MOM SAYS

As Jennifer Maxey describes it, medical marijuana has been a godsend
for her 16-year-old son, Austin.

Austin has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized
by chronic pain.

In the hope of getting Austin off the debilitating painkillers he was
taking, Maxey decided to try medicinal cannabis, legalized by
Michigan voters in 2008. She went through the necessary steps,
getting written certification from Austin's doctor, then a medical
marijuana registry identification card from the state Department of
Community Health.

Austin started using marijuana - less than a gram a week (there are
about 28 grams in an ounce) - in March. Maxey, who lives in Lansing,
buys pre-made muffins, candy and oil from the designated caregiver.

Maxey described the result as "phenomenal."

"He's a completely different child," the mother said. "He used to be
a recluse; now he asks to go places with me."

On the Record

Maxey believes Austin ran into anti-marijuana prejudice at Sparrow
Hospital recently. That "discrimination," she said, is now part of
Austin's medical record, and she's trying to correct that.

"He isn't a drug abuser, and having that in his records could follow
him the rest of his life," the mother said.

Austin recently underwent surgery unrelated to his Ehlers-Danos.
Naturally Maxey informed the folks at Sparrow that Austin was a
medical marijuana user. That admission, she said, changed how Austin
was treated. Not in the actual medical care he received - that was
fine, Maxey said - but in the attitude of those caring for Austin.

Maxey described it as "ridiculously rude."

More troubling than the rudeness, Maxey said, are the notes now in
Austin's medical file.

"They listed him as a drug abuser in need of rehab ..." she wrote.

In a written reply to my request for comment, Sparrow spokesman John
Berg wrote:

"Ms. Maxey's contention that the notations in her son's medical
record refer to his use of medical cannabis is false. In the
patient's chart, the surgeon does make several references using the
term 'narcotic addiction,' or a variation similar to this.

"He, from a medical perspective, is clearly indicating that:

. This patient requires medical management for a complex situation
regarding pain medication.

. This medical management is outside his normal experience and expertise."

Berg also pointed out that the physician who treated Austin at
Sparrow is not on the Sparrow staff, but a member of the MSU faculty.

'Medical Term'

Berg continued: "'Narcotic addiction' is a medical term that refers
to someone who takes narcotics regularly on a long-term basis, as is
clearly the case with this patient. These references in the chart do
not refer to the patient's use of medical cannabis but are specific
to a complex medical history regarding a variety of pain medications."

However, Maxey points to a note on the "History & Physical" form from
Sparrow that refers to Austin's "Obvious marijuana use." She also
provided me with a copy of a June 16 letter from Austin's doctor,
Arthur J. Ronan of Lansing, that says, in part: "Austin has never
abused his medication, nor has he ever been treated for substance
abuse, or addiction."

Berg said there is a process in place at Sparrow by which patients
can challenge entries in their records. He said Maxey has been slow
to accept Sparrow's invitation to work it out, and seems inclined to litigate.

However, Maxey said she's been waiting for documentation that will
disprove the medical record entries made at Sparrow. She added that
she would prefer to solve the matter without litigation, but will go
to court, if necessary.

Berg has asked me repeatedly to "allow (Sparrow) the opportunity to
resolve the issue with the patient without media coverage."

But Maxey believes the issue is bigger than her son's case: "Your
readers should be aware," she wrote, "of how people with a legal
right to use marijuana are labeled and treated."