Man Charged for Treating Gravely Ill Children with Cannabis

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Mark Pedersen, a medical marijuana caregiver in Colorado, was arrested and charged with five felony counts of marijuana manufacture, distribution, and possession after one of his patients, a disabled teenager named Jack, died. Pedersen had been providing cannabis oil to Jack and other chronically ill children to help ease their symptoms, but his unlicensed activities pushed him into legally gray territory. The police seized Pedersen's personal belongings and he faced the possibility of a life sentence in prison, though he ultimately pleaded guilty to a manufacturing charge and served just over a year of probation.

Why it matters

Pedersen's case highlights the legal challenges and moral dilemmas faced by those who use cannabis to treat severely ill patients, especially children, outside the bounds of the traditional medical system. While Pedersen believed he was helping his patients, the law viewed his actions as criminal, even after the death of one of his patients was ruled accidental. This case raises questions about the need for greater legal and regulatory clarity around the use of medical marijuana, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The details

Pedersen, who grew up in a town poisoned by lead, began using and advocating for medical marijuana after his own health issues and the death of his daughter Rachel from complications related to lead exposure. He moved to Colorado and started providing cannabis oil to chronically ill children, including Jack, a disabled teenager who relied on life support. Pedersen believed the cannabis oil helped ease Jack's symptoms, but after Jack's death, the police seized Pedersen's belongings and charged him with felonies. Pedersen ultimately pleaded guilty to a manufacturing charge to avoid a potential life sentence.

• On August 24, 2016, Jack died at his home in Lakewood, Colorado.
• In March 2017, Pedersen was arrested and charged with five felony counts of marijuana manufacture, distribution, and possession.
• In April 2018, Pedersen pleaded guilty to the manufacturing charge and was sentenced to probation.

What’s next

Pedersen plans to continue his advocacy for medical marijuana legalization in Missouri, where he has authored several ballot initiatives calling for the removal of cannabis from the state's controlled-substances list.