News

Actions

Bridget KirouacTrial Day 3: Doctor takes the stand and defends her use of marijuana

Posted at 6:57 PM, Sep 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-14 18:57:34-04

The Martin County woman facing up to 5 years in prison for growing her own pot was in court again Wednesday.

Bridget Kirouac says she uses the pot of health reasons. 

The man who prescribed the drug to her took the stand to defend his decision. 

“I believe that this medication could relieve a significant amount of human suffering,” says Doctor Dustin Sulak, medical director of Intergr8 Health in Maine.

RELATED: Day 2 of Bridget Kirouac medical marijuana trial brings out evidence, weed seized from her home

Investigators busted Kirouac’s home back in 2014 and found she was growing 20 marijuana plants inside.

Kirouac claims she suffers from a variety of chronic ailments, and says the cannabis helps with the pain.

Going through her medical records today, Dr. Sulak says while she was still living in Maine, he recommended cannabis to her after opioids and prescription meds were ineffective.

“Many of the medications she failed because she couldn't tolerate the adverse affects, some she failed because they simply couldn't help her,” Dr Sulak says.

Kirouac's attorney Michael Minardi wants that recommendation from Dr. Sulak in Maine to be applied here in Florida. 

He’s using a medical necessity defense - essentially that her medical need outweighs the crime

The prosecution maintains, however, that what Kirouac did is still just that - a crime. 

On Thursday, there’s only one person left to testify - Kirouac herself.

She takes the stand and defends her use of cannabis.