FAMILY FOCUS: Jacksonville parents say medical marijuana is saving daughter's life

A Jacksonville family says medical marijuana has changed their 7-year-old daughter's life.

Action News Jax first told you about Angelina Miele in 2016, when her apnea would stop her breathing in the middle of the night, and she suffered upward of 70 seizures per month.

Angelina suffers from Rett syndrome, a rare genetic mutation affecting brain development in girls.

“Every seizure, it could be fatal,” said her mother, Angel Miele.

“Some are scary,” her father, Christopher Miele, said.  “You have to go to the hospital, have to go to the ER.”

The family members are used to doctors delivering bad news, but while Action News Jax visited with them, they received a different delivery -- their latest shipment of medical marijuana.

“We’ve had a major decrease in seizures, so for us, it saved her life.  It’s saving her life,” Angel Miele said.

“I can’t even remember the last day she’s had (a seizure),” Christopher Miele said.

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According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Florida is considered one of 33 states that has approved comprehensive public medical marijuana and cannabis programs.

Georgia and 12 other states allow Cannabidiol, known commonly as CBD-, and low THC levels, in certain cases.

Four states have no public marijuana access program, as this remains a controversial subject.

“What do you say to the critics around the country who don’t want this?” Action News Jax reporter Russell Colburn asked the Miele’s.

“Walk in our shoes,” Angel Miele said.  “Watch your child suffer.”

Angelina's parents said the drug has helped so much, they plan to soon enroll her in school.

She's nonverbal, but her family is waiting on a device that will allow her to communicate through eye gaze.

Still, since there’s no cure for Rett syndrome, they’re taking things one day at a time.

Cox Media Group