The family of a New Zealand teenager, who has been in a coma for weeks, believes cannabis oil could save their son – but they need a law change.

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The condition has improved of the Nelson teenager whose supporters fought for him to have access to cannabis oil medication.

 

Alex Renton, 19, spent 12 hours off his ventilator yesterday, breathing on his own, Seven Sharp reporter Jehan Casinader tweeted this morning

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His cannabis oil doses are increasing and sedation is expected to lift further.

 

Alex is suffering from a prolonged form of seizure, known as epilepticus, and has been in Wellington Hospital since early April.

 

His condition sparked a national debate on the benefits and morality of using cannabis oil for medicinal purposes.

 

Earlier this month Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne used his ministerial powers to approve a one-off course of Elixinol, a cannabidiol (CBD) product from the United States.

 

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