PHOENIX – An Arizona woman who used medicinal marijuana during pregnancy to combat morning sickness has her name removed from the state child abuse registry.
An order from the Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday means Lindsay Ridgell will no longer be listed on the classified registry, limiting her job prospects since her placement in 2019. It may also have a broader meaning because of the less likely use of .It is legally treated as child abuse.
Ridgell’s attorney, Julie Gannigle, said of the single-page order from the High Court that it was “pretty good”. rice field.”
The Arizona Supreme Court has refused to honor an appeal from the state’s Department of Child Safety, which defended its decision to place the child on the register after a baby tested positive for cannabis in February 2019. The Arizona Court of Appeal last April. A panel of three judges ruled that Ridgell’s cannabis use was legal and not child neglect.
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During her pregnancy, Ridgell worked for the Arizona Department of Child Safety, but not only was she accused of child neglect, but she lost her job as a result.
Neglect and abuse charges can result in placement of individuals on registries that employers use as part of background checks on staff working with vulnerable children and adults. For 25 years on the list, critics have come to refer to it as the “Black List.”
Ridgell claimed she had a medicinal cannabis card issued by a doctor who knew she was pregnant.
The Court of Appeals stated that Arizona’s medical marijuana law states that cannabis use “must be equated with the use of other drugs under the direction of a physician,” and Ridgell could do nothing wrong. That ruling last year overturned a series of previous legal decisions that found Ridgell had neglected his children.
“This is a national import”
Ridgell was not reached for comment on Thursday. But in her interview last year, she said her son is doing well and she has struggled to find her job since being registered.
Gunigl said Thursday’s order should make it easier for Ridgell to find a job.
And if you want to claim neglect for medical marijuana use by pregnant women under the rules set by state law, she said, it sets a higher bar for the Child Safety Service. was used irresponsibly and endangered the child.
“This is important for the nation,” added Ganigur. Other states have had medical marijuana issues related to child welfare lawsuits, but none has won a clearer verdict than the Arizona Court of Appeals, she said.
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Dozens of groups support Ridgell, from the National Advocate for Pregnant Women, the Academy of Perinatal Harm Reduction, the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, dozens of doctors, and comedian and actress Amy Schumer. filed a court brief to of cannabis use during pregnancy.
Follow reporter Mary Jo Pitzle on Twitter @maryjpitzl.