Short Cuts

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Pete and Cooper Spar Over Medical Marijuana!
By Moira McMahon, Researcher

In episode 402, "Short Cuts," Sydney Harris comes to see Pete for her migraines, while Cooper checks up on her son, Zack.

Zack is autistic and prone to terrible rages and violent temper tantrums. Sydney's been working with all the resources available to her, but behavioral therapies and special classes just aren't helping. She's concerned that soon, she won't have anywhere to take him because his behavior is getting so bad.

At least Sydney has found relief for her migraines from medical marijuana. Pete advocates the herbal remedy for conditions that have been proven to respond to the controversial treatment. On her own, Sydney decides to stop medicating her child with pills that haven't worked and gives him marijuana instead. It seems to work. Her son is calmer...or, is he just stoned?

Cooper is impressed by Zack's improved temperament. But once he finds out why his behavior has changed, he's livid. He's seen kids who used marijuana when they were young move on to hard drugs. Plus, it's still a crime in many states and is cause for suspension from school. Cooper is sure this is not the right treatment for Zack.

Pete defends his choice of giving medical marijuana to Sydney for her migraines, but when she decided to give it to her son, she crossed the line.

Pete refuses to give Sydney a prescription for medical marijuana for her son. Neither Cooper nor Pete are willing to give a child an untested treatment that is still classified federally as an illegal drug.

Sydney decides to buy marijuana off the street. After she gives it to Zack, he has an adverse reaction and has to be rushed to St. Ambrose. Unknowingly, Sydney bought marijuana laced with PCP and has put her own son's life in peril.

Sydney is arrested for child abuse.

She was just trying to take care of her son. Medical Marijuana is helping many people with mental challenges; does it really matter if he's only twelve? If pot works, why not use it?

What would you do?