OK Family Moving In Hopes Medical Marijuana Will Help Sick Daughter

Legalizing medical marijuana in Oklahoma will once again be on the table this legislative session. But supporters say the focus this year will be legalizing a certain formula that is said to help children.

It's called Charlotte's Web, named after a little girl who had severe pediatric epilepsy and found relief from her seizures in an oil derived from the marijuana plant.

There are parents in Oklahoma that believe Charlotte's Web can help their children, too, Including Krystal and Michael Cain whose daughter, 3-year-old Rayleigh, suffers from a rare genetic disorder called CDLK5, which causes epilepsy and as many as 15 seizures a day.

Every seizure kills brain cells delaying development. Last month, Rayleigh had regressed to the point where she couldn't chew and swallow properly so doctors had to insert a feeding tube. They've tried 11 different medications and nothing seems to work.

"We're out of options here," Krystal Cain said.

Cain first heard about Charlotte's Web two years ago.

"I thought medical marijuana. I would never give my child marijuana. I would never even take marijuana," Cain said.

But after talking to other parents and doctors, they believe it could be the answer they're looking for. The oil is said to have anti-epileptic properties and heals the damaged brain cells. It is extremely high in CBD, which has the medicinal properties, and very low THC, the part that makes you high.

"It's your kid, we're willing to try anything, and do what you have to do," said Rayleigh's dad, Michael.

"But we can't do it here," Krystal Cain said.

The family lobbied the Oklahoma Legislature last session to legalize medical marijuana with no success. So in the next few months they are reluctantly moving to Colorado. They are waiting for Michael's job to approve a transfer.

"This is home, this is where we met," he said.

The family has already met with a doctor in Colorado who has told them Charlotte's Web could help Rayleigh, just as it has other children.

"There are children like Rayleigh there that are saying their first words, learning to sit up because they are seizure free and their brain can relax and start doing these things again. It's amazing," Krystal Cain said.

A senate hearing on the benefits of Charlotte's Web is scheduled for next month. Supporters are hopeful to get something passed this session.

Those who oppose medical marijuana say it's not medicine and supporters are just looking for a loophole to make pot legal.