Wyatt Hauser, 2, is in Oregon through August as part of a medical marijuana trial program. He is staying there with his grandfather and his mother, Jessica Hauser, who has emerged as an advocate for medical marijuana in Minnesota. (Submitted photo)
The path that Jessica Hauser never expected to travel with her family is approaching a crossroads.
The journey for Hauser and her husband, Jeremy, began when their son, Wyatt, was diagnosed seven months into his young life with infantile spasms, a type of epilepsy that could cause about 200 seizures a day.
"It's horrible," Jessica said of watching her son experience the seizures. "I wouldn't wish this upon anyone."
The journey continued with the search for treatment options. Nothing seemed to help, and the longer the seizures persist, the more likely Wyatt will deal with developmental disabilities.
Hungry for information, Jessica took to the Internet, where she learned that some families were experimenting with medical marijuana for children with severe epilepsy.
She eventually found herself aligned with a medical marijuana advocacy group that this year urged lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton to change state law. A version of the medical marijuana law passed in May, and it will cover patients like Wyatt once the program is up and running in 2015.
The unexpected journey is driving a decision that is bearing down on the Hausers.
Jessica and 2-year-old Wyatt left in July for a monthlong trip to Oregon, where Wyatt is undergoing an experimental trial with medical marijuana. Oregon is the only state that allows nonresidents access to medical marijuana treatment.
A few days into the trials, the drug seems to be working. Jessica reports that Wyatt's seizures were reduced by 75 percent after being treated with cannabinoids -- the active chemical in medical marijuana.
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Family tries marijuana treatment for baby Wyatt's seizures