Family moves to Colorado to treat daughter's seizures

The Swann family moved from Alabama to Colorado Springs in the fall to treat their 14-year-old daughter, Allie, who has severe epilepsy.

The Colorado Springs Gazette says the family is now able to treat Allie's seizures more effectively by using a marijuana-derived oil, known as Charlotte's Web.

'When we first got here she was having an average of 20 seizures a day,' Allie's father said.
'Now she's on zero to three a day. Since she's started Charlotte's Web she's not had a drop seizure since. That's been three weeks.'

This incredible journey hasn't come easy, though.


It took six weeks to get recommendations from two doctors and approval by the state to obtain a red card, which allows the family to purchase Charlotte's Web from a licensed medical marijuana dispensary. And it was another two weeks before the oil began decreasing the number of Allie's seizures.

Allie's parents administer her three oral doses of the oil every day.


Because the family's health insurance does not cover the oil, it cost the Swanns $587 the first month and $860 the second month. The price increased because the first dose Allie was given was not strong enough.

The Swanns aren't the only family who's moved to the Centennial State. The Daily Caller says Colorado has seen an explosion of pediatric marijuana patients in the last year, estimating that 100 new families relocated there in the fall of 2013.


In 2012, only 37 patients were registered, while at the end of 2013, there were 128 patients. Another 171 patients are currently on a waiting list for red cards.


The Colorado Springs Gazette reports that Allie, who has the mental acuity of a 3 or 4-year-old, has recently started speaking simple sentences and clapping her hands.

Her parents say even if that's all the progress Allie makes, it's worth it.