Watch CBS News

Panel: Don't Add Eye Disease To Medical Marijuana List

LANSING (AP) - An advisory panel is recommending that an eye disease not be added to the conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in Michigan.

Only one of six members on the review panel was in favor Tuesday.

The petition was filed by Melba Velez Ortiz, a professor at Grand Valley State University. She wants to add retinitis pigmentosa to the marijuana list. It's an inherited disease that greatly affects the retina and can lead to night blindness and loss of vision.

Ortiz says there's research showing marijuana can slow down the disease.

In 2008, Michigan voters approved marijuana for the side effects of cancer and a few other illnesses. Only one condition, post-traumatic stress disorder, has been added.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.