Pubdate: Tue, 13 Aug 2013
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Author: Jan Hefler
Page: B2

CNN TRACKS MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND CHILDREN

Parents of a 5-year-old Colorado girl who suffered from severe 
seizures say medical marijuana has saved their child's life. Footage 
of the child before and after she was given cannabis was shown Sunday 
in a documentary, Weed, aired on CNN and hosted by Sanjay Gupta, a 
neurosurgeon.

Paige and Matt Figi said in the CNN interview that their daughter, 
Charlotte, had 300 seizures a week before she was administered drops 
of cannabis under her tongue a year ago. She had been in a catatonic 
state, unable to eat, talk, or walk. Now, after regularly using 
cannabis, she has only one seizure every seven days, the parents 
said. Footage shows her talking, walking, laughing, and riding a 
bicycle and also a horse.

Forty-one other children had similar results, according to the documentary.

Gupta traveled around the world, interviewing other seriously ill 
patients who got astonishing results by using cannabis. In Israel, 
some studies show the drug has helped sufferers of Crohn's disease, 
post-traumatic stress disorder, and cancer.

There also are detractors, doctors who say not enough research has 
been done, as interviewed by Gupta. The American Academy of 
Pediatricians also opposes giving it to children.

Meghan and Brian Wilson, parents of 2-year-old Vivian, who live in 
Scotch Plains, have spent the last few months lobbying to get changes 
in New Jersey's three-year-old marijuana law to make it easier for 
children to use cannabis.

A bill that was overwhelmingly passed by the Legislature is on Gov. 
Christie's desk. He has said he is reluctant to sign it but will 
consider it. He has until Friday to decide.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom