Kansas Medical Marijuana Activist Sues State Over Son's Removal From Her Home

A western Kansas woman is suing the state and some of the agencies involved in questioning and removing her 11-year-old son from her home after he spoke up at school about her marijuana use.

The Wichita Eagle reports that Shona Banda's federal lawsuit alleges the state and the agencies are depriving her of her civil rights to treat a debilitating condition.

The Garden City woman also claims officials have infringed on her parenting, and that local police and school employees improperly questioned her son without her permission in March of last year.

Spokespeople for Garden City public schools and Gov. Sam Brownback's office are declining comment, citing the pending litigation.

Banda is acting as her own counsel in the lawsuit.

Banda, 38, is a marijuana advocate and author of “Live Free or Die: Reclaim Your Life … Reclaim Your Country.” The book recounts her use of cannabis oil to treat Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to life-threatening complications.

The story of her son’s removal from her home last year sparked national and international attention and calls to decriminalize medical marijuana use in Kansas.

She is acting as her own attorney in the federal case, according to court records.

Read more at the Wichita Eagle