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A FORMER Barraba woman has struck a blow in her fight to keep her son alive through the use of medical marijuana.
Cassie Batten, who now lives in Melbourne with partner Rhett Wallace and their children, was thrust into the national spotlight in July when police raided their home and confiscated a cache of cannabis oil.
The oil was being used to treat their son Cooper, 3, who contracted bacterial meningitis at four weeks old, leaving him with severe brain damage, cerebral abscesses, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
In desperation, the family began administering cannabis oil to treat Cooper late last year.
The results were stunning.
An EEG test before cannabis oil treatment showed Cooper having 57 seizures in 60 minutes.
The EEG after treatment showed no seizures at all.
After the July raid, Ms Batten continued administering the cannabis oil, despite fears she could have her children taken into custody by Victoria’s Department of Human Services.
But last Wednesday, Ms Batten was told the police investigation had been dropped.
“Two detectives knocked at my door and all I could think was ‘What now?’” she said.
“But they told me that in the best interests of the public, they’d decided to stop investigating the case and we won’t be charged.
“It’s just amazing news and I hope it sets a precedent to other families in our position not to be fearful.”
It comes amid a nationwide surge of support for medical marijuana, sparked by the story of Tamworth man Dan Haslam.
Ms Batten’s sister, Tamworth woman Shirley Kirk, said Cooper’s progress continued to astound her, with the toddler now talking and recognising people.
“This is a child that wasn’t expected to survive past two. The difference in him is unbelievable and it just goes to show that in the right circumstances, when all else has failed, medical cannabis can make a huge difference,” Ms Kirk said.