Modesto, Calif. — The first kid-friendly marijuana dispensary in the United States, Jayden's Journey in Modesto may be forced to shut down.
Not by choice but because they did not pass the county's process to get a permit.
"We are known as the Modesto miracle and the reason why is that Jayden wasn't supposed to make it to five and he tried 13 different psychotic pills and today, seven years ago was the first day he ever went seizure free in his life," said Jayden's father and shop-owner Jason David.
David credits CBD oil and his shop called Jayden's Journey, sells CBD oil coined Jayden's juice to families all over the state.
"Jayden recently broke his record and went 16 days seizure free," David said about his son reaching milestones.
David said they've overcome plenty of challenges in 11-year-old Jayden's journey living with Dravet Syndrome to be seizure-free but now the shop is facing one of it's own.
"At first I thought it was our paperwork but I'm sure it's not our paperwork anymore," David said.
Jayden's Journey had to recently apply for a permit to operate with the county but they did not pass the checklist. They scored a 63 and were supposed to score over 80, meaning they may have to shut down if their appeal does not go through.
"I'm 100 percent sure that there's something wrong and I'm not happy," David said.
He's hopeful the support for Jayden's Journey will be strong enough to keep their doors open.
Jerry Zuniga founded Tactical patients, an organization that helps veterans cope with cannibas.
"I suffer from PTSD and traumatic brain injury that is a huge percentage of my 100 percent disability. I originally started this organization because 22 veterans commit suicide a day and I had three marines close to me take their lives," Zuniga said.
Jayden's Juice has been instrumental in helping veterans like himself.
"We have veterans who were Afghanistan a year ago to veterans who were in Vietnam and all with purple heart. They all say one thing. CBD works for them, CBD takes away anxiety, calms them, takes away pain in their body," he added.
Jason Eccleston, living with autism, found Jayden's journey on his own recently to help calm his nerves.
"It helps me because it keeps me calm. It doesn't make my tense or anything. It makes me happy and wind down," Eccleston said.
His family doesn't want to see Jayden's Journey close it's doors in Modesto because they commute from Tracy and rely on Jayden's juice to help them.
"This is a life or death situation for us. This is not a joke. This is not about tax dollars and money. This is life and death. Last night I went to a graduation for 2 kids with cerebral palsy and if you only knew what it does to impact other families and lives," David said holding back tears.
The shop has appealed the county's decision and should hear back within several weeks.
Their Ceres location at 4030 Farm Supply Drive will remain open as it is in a different jurisdiction.