Pubdate: Fri, 07 Feb 2014
Source: Times-Tribune, The (Scranton PA)
Copyright: 2014 Townnews.com
Contact:  http://www.thetimes-tribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4440
Author: Charles DeCelles

DON'T SLAM DOOR ON TERMINALLY ILL

Editor: Gov. Tom Corbett is reluctant to legalize the use of cannabis 
(marijuana) even for medical purposes (Times-Tribune, Jan. 27). I can 
empathize with his fear that a door could be opened that would lead 
to abuse. But I can also speak from personal experience that some 
sick people have an urgent need for its use.

I have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, better known as Lou 
Gehrig's disease. Fifty percent of people with this illness die 
within 18 months of diagnosis. ALS interferes with the transmission 
of messages from the brain to the voluntary muscles. As a result of 
nonfunction, all the voluntary muscles of the body are destroyed, 
including the chest muscles used in breathing. The disease has no known cure.

A pill called Rilutek slows down the process of muscle deterioration. 
For patients able to cope with the negative side effects of the pill, 
including liver damage, the ability to breathe on one's own can be 
extended three to 12 months.

There is, however, scientific evidence based on research with rats 
and anecdotal evidence from the lives of patients that cannabis can 
significantly curtail the destructive effect of the disease upon the 
patient, even possibly stop it.

Some patients on cannabis have lived five to 15 years after the 
diagnosis of their terminal disease was made. Cathy Jordan from 
Parrish, Fla., has survived 28 years with the illness. She has been 
smoking marijuana for 26 years.

Cannabis offers hope to terminally ill patients who cannot wait for 
clinical trials to be completed. That would seem to be a good enough 
reason to make the drug available now for restricted use.

CHARLES DeCELLES, Ph.D.

DUNMORE
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom