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Parents of Epileptic 2-Year-Old Upset Over N.J. Medical Marijuana Delays
Meghan and Brian Wilson of Scotch Plains, N.J., have been waiting patiently for medical marijuana to become available for their 2-year-old daughter Vivian, Vivie, who suffers from a rare and severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.
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Vivie has had 20 hospitalizations in all, and sometimes her convulsions can last up to an hour. In February, the state issued Vivie a wallet-size medical marijuana card.
Gov. Chris Christie inherited the medical marijuana law three years ago and promised strict regulations. When he was asked about Vivies case by reporters last month, he said he was not inclined to allow medical marijuana for kids.
As a minor, Vivie had to get consent from three doctors. Cannabis could alleviate her seizures, and unlike barbiturates, it will not kill brain cells. However, there is only one dispensary in the state, and it will not sell to the Wilsons. They will have to wait for a dispensary in central New Jersey to receive its permit to grow marijuana.
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Her mother said doctors in the states marijuana program do not seem to understand there are kids who qualify for treatment. She said she called 20 doctors before one would certify Vivie as a patient.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/parents-epileptic-2-year-old-upset-over-nj-medical-marijuana-delays
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)Make the pot into a batch of butter and let her eat bread n butter.
Pot butter is so nice
Skraxx
(2,985 posts)I doubt very much she would be able to smoke it even if she tried, but I also doubt they would let her try.
Pot brownies for the kid should work nicely.
RandiFan1290
(6,260 posts)It can be made into a simple extract that can be consumed. No brownies or butter needed.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)in THC and very high in cannabidiol or CBD, the component in marijuana that halts seizures. The best treatment for seizures has no 'high' to it, as THC is the 'high making' component and it is intentionally bred out of the medicine for this use.
Examples
http://kdvr.com/2013/06/11/medicinal-marijuana-reduces-seizures-for-6-year-old-girl-improves-quality-of-life/
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/10/health/medical-marijuana-child
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)RainDog
(28,784 posts)these poor children should not have to suffer because drug warriors depend on prohibition to earn a living.
shanti
(21,675 posts)There was a series about the weed business on teevee a few months ago that featured a an epileptic child. He was given a tincture which seemed to be working. This was here in Cali, but there were similar issues regarding the legality of providing it to children.
forestpath
(3,102 posts)Trillo
(9,154 posts)If only folks thought that for BigPharma's drugs. Ritalin comes to mind, but I'm sure there are others.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)that did not alleviate his seizures. But left him immobile.
So, no problem with prescribing 22 drugs per day that are ineffective, but one plant that controls seizures - NO WAY!
RainDog
(28,784 posts)Posting this for those with questions about harm for childhood development regarding cannabis use.
While I would err on the side of caution regarding use of any substance during pregnancy, I thought this study was useful.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)RainDog
(28,784 posts)this is a video of Dreher's work (She's a nurse with a PhD, not a medical doctor, for the sake of clarity.) It's long - 30 minutes, from a professional conference.
Melanie Dreher is the dean of nursing at Rush Medical Center in Chicago.
here's a link to her published research.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8121737
thank you for the kind words.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)that her research is routinely left out of meta studies on this issue, for no reason other than it is not "politically correct" to indicate any research that is not negative among the tenure-seeking and govt-wanting jobber/scientists.
This includes one of the people who was a consultant on her research.
the NIDA would not fund further research for her on this topic.
The reason for this is that the NIDA will not fund any research that is not negative.
That's abuse of science by a governmental bureaucracy that exists to protect certain lies.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)edit to add - Jaden's experience with epilepsy is in this link, noted above, in post 6 - http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/10/health/medical-marijuana-child
The medical marijuana dispensary that supplied Jaden's first cannabis was targeted by the DEA in 2012.
http://oaklandnorth.net/2013/04/18/after-the-raid-first-oaksterdam-then-legal-battles-for-harborside-health-center/
In its forfeiture complaint, the agency pointed out the magnitude of Harborsides business and its violation of federal anti-marijuana laws, but made no claims that the clinic had actually violated California law, which permits medical marijuana with a doctors prescription. Still, the complaint reads, The larger the operation, the greater the likelihood that there will be abuse of the states medical marijuana laws, and marijuana in the hands of individuals who do not have a demonstrated medical need. (U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag and officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency did not return interview requests for this article seeking additional comment.)
While medical marijuana is legal in California thanks to 1996s Proposition 215, it remains illegal under federal law, regardless of any state or local laws directing otherwise. The federal Controlled Substances Act currently classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning that it has a high potential of being abused, has no currently accepted medical use for treatment and has no accepted safety guideline for use under medical supervision. Even if a citys government is regulating its medical marijuana industryas Oakland doesthe federal government can theoretically intervene at any time.