Kalel Santiago is a nine year old boy who lives in Puerto Rico. When Kalel was less than a year old, he was diagnosed with a rare cancer called neuroblastoma. This is a type of cancer that develops in nerve cells of young children.
Kalel survived two years of treatments only to be diagnosed with severe autism which has left him non-verbal. Kalel’s parents tried numerous types of interventions but nothing worked until they began a treatment of cannabidiol or CBD oil. Kalel’s parents began administering doses of the oil to him by mouth twice a day. Two days after beginning the CBD oil treatment, Kalel began to speak.
Hemp Health, the company that produces the oil is pleasantly surprised with Kalel’s progress. Dr. Martinez, a psychologist who worked with Kalel in another school was also very surprised. He expressed caution that the results needed to be studied and monitored.
According to studies, CBD oil can be effective in treating cancer and other conditions. However, treatments with the oil are not widely available due to laws prohibiting the oil. The US federal government still classifies all forms of marijuana, including CBD oil, as it does heroin and other drugs.
While a number of states have legalized cannabis for medical reasons, other states still have laws that make the drug illegal. These laws prevent individuals from getting the type of treatment which was so successful for Kalel.