"...now that I have a better understanding of the benefits as well as the evidence of medical marijuana, I have become an advocate." Medical marijuana can help relieve suffering of kids I am a mother of two daughters, one of whom was diagnosed at age 2 with Double Cortex Syndrome. This rare genetic disorder presents many traits, the most dangerous being epilepsy. My daughter will soon be 14 years old and in the past 12 years has suffered anywhere from 5 to 100 or more seizures a day. In the hope of helping control these seizures, we have had her on countless anti-epileptic medications, surgically implanted a device known as Vagus Nerve Stimulator and most recently brain surgery, all to no avail. As a parent, it is more than frustrating to have to sit beside my daughter and just wait out the seizures. The sense of helplessness cannot be described by words. There are days I wonder if giving my child all of these pharmaceutical medications is doing more harm than good. Not only with the side effects but also the seizures themselves. Out of desperation and yes, frustration I decided to begin looking into alternative means to treat my daughter. And with that, I began researching medical marijuana. Although New Jersey became the 14th state to legalize medical marijuana in 2010, I have found there are still many hurdles to cross. In our case, the fact that children under the age of 18 cannot obtain a “red card” for medical marijuana access unless three doctors sign off — the treating specialist such as a neurologist, the child’s pediatrician and a psychologist. In theory, obtaining these three letters seems simple. However, my daughter’s primary treatments for the genetic disorder are through her neurologist who specializes in this field. My daughter’s pediatrician is not as knowledgeable with neurology and currently does not interject with medications prescribed by my daughter’s neurologist. Psychological treatment is not common for a patient suffering from seizures, which makes me wonder why a letter from a psychologist would be required. In my opinion, a psychologist willing to write a letter for a patient they do not have a medical history with defeats the purpose as well as their validity. I would like to share with you some facts on the strain of medical marijuana being sought for children suffering with seizures. The compounds found in this particular medical marijuana is a high concentration of cannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD). Strains of medical marijuana that contain a high concentration of CBD have been proven to be an effective treatment for medication-resistant epilepsy. Unlike the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive so there is no “high.” Yet, the pharma-medications my daughter currently takes are considered a controlled substance as it alters one’s mind. Lastly, the medical marijuana plant is made into an edible form such as an tincture or oil, which is administered to the patient orally in a syringe or mixed with their food. The children are not smoking medical marijuana. Currently, bill S2842 is sitting on Gov. Chris Christie’s desk awaiting his signature. New Jersey Legislators, in non-partisan fashion, voted for this bill, which includes allowing parents such as myself to have less difficulties obtaining the “red card” for our children and their medical needs. As well, it would make available more than the three strains of medical marijuana currently permitted in New Jersey, which would give access to the medical cannabis for all patients. My goal with writing this letter is to spread awareness to others. There are people who form an opinion without first finding out the facts, myself included. However, now that I have a better understanding of the benefits as well as the evidence of medical marijuana, I have become an advocate. Most importantly for my daughter but also for the many others who are ill and suffering unnecessarily. If you would like to send a letter to Gov. Christie please go to lettersforvivian.org where another New Jersey family is pushing for changes in our state laws concerning medical marijuana. Tina M. DeSilvio Franklinville thedailyjournal/article/20130810/OPINION03/308100010?nclick_check=1 lettersforvivian.org
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 01:12:54 +0000
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