Few Iowans who are really looking forward to obtain cannabis oil legally from the state are facing difficulties, which in turn, is affecting their children’s lives. Kim and Matt Novy from Altoona have twin daughters who are 12 years old and need constant supervision.
“They can never be left alone, ever. So, we are always on edge, always on, ready to go,” Kim stated.
Lauren and Lindsey are both suffering from Dravet Syndrome, which is a very rare kind of intractable epilepsy. Oxygen is always kept handy for the girls when the big seizure occurs.
Karen Sales from Ankeny has lost count of the number of seizures her son William has faced. She always lives with the fear of his next big attack.
“Every night you go to bed wondering, praying, ‘please don’t let this be the night’” she said.

It is very difficult for most parents to even imagine living like this, but parents of Kaden Homolka, of Guthrie, Center need not use their thinking and imagination.
Kaden suffered from seizures all his life. His parents believe that the constant doses of the anti-seizure drugs and their side-effects have led to the diagnoses of ADHD in their son, which is a developmental disease with a strong sleeping disorder.
“Like I told the neurologist, sometimes I wonder if it’s best to him to have a seizure over the medicine, and see what happens,” said Megan Homolka, mother of Kaden.
All the three families are expected to qualify for the limited medical marijuana program of Iowa, which applies only to the patients with severe intractable epilepsy.
They want their kids to be on cannabis oil as fast as possible as they hear many success stories like the story of a 3 year old Braedy Grittman of Tama.
KCCI’s first encounter with Braedy was at his home back in Tama in the month of January. Braedy is unable to crawl and even talk as his body is affected by grand mal seizures from one attack to ten on daily basis.
Braedy’s parents shifted to Colorado in April so as to establish residency in order to become eligible for the medical marijuana program of the state.
Braedy’s parents stated that just after 3 weeks of cannabis oil treatment, his attacks were down to just one in a few days span. Braedy was much stronger, tracking things from his eyes and also smiling occasionally.
On 4th of July, Braedy’s parents announced that he survived the entire month of June without any seizure attack. The family of Braedy is hoping to come back home very soon, but they won’t take the risk until they know that cannabis oil can be obtained in Iowa legally.
“We’re really putting people in a really difficult position to break the law essentially to meet the health care needs of their loved ones,” Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City added.