Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2014 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact:  http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Kyle Wingfield

Legislature

PRUDENT, LIMITED STEP ON CANNABIS OIL OFFERS HOPE

Legislators may pass the Haleigh's Hope Act before the session ends 
next week, improving access to a form of medical marijuana for 
children like her who suffer from seizure disorders. But Haleigh 
won't be in Georgia for the occasion.

"Haleigh quit breathing six times last night, so we don't have time 
anymore," her mother, Janea Cox, told me Wednesday. Mother and 
daughter left Thursday for Colorado, which already has legalized the 
cannabis oil that has helped other children reduce the number of 
debilitating seizures they suffer from as many as hundreds every day 
to as few as one every few months.

House Bill 885 by Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, would allow medical 
researchers in Georgia to study the use of cannabis oil in children 
who suffer from seizure disorders that have proved resistant to 
conventional medications. A new version of the bill unveiled 
Wednesday would also protect parents from prosecution for possession 
of cannabis oil prescribed for their children.

"The law is not perfect," said Shannon Cloud of Smyrna, whose 
8-year-old daughter Alaina has suffered seizures her whole life due 
to a genetic condition called Dravet syndrome.

"It doesn't mean on July 1," when the bill, if passed, would take 
effect, "our kids are going to be on the medicine, unfortunately. But 
if anyone has the resources and the effort to go to Colorado and 
establish residence and get the medicine, they could bring it back here."

Colorado is mentioned often in relation to cannabis oil. Marijuana 
also notably became legal for recreational use there this year. But 
the cannabis oil in question isn't smoked and doesn't contain enough 
of the chemical THC to get patients high. It wouldn't put Georgia on 
the road to legalized weed any more than the state's approval years 
ago of marijuana for cancer or glaucoma patients did.

In fact, supporters point out, cannabis oil is already legal in 20 
states. Thirteen states, including Georgia as well as Alabama, are 
currently considering legalizing it.

Unless the federal government loosens restrictions on transporting 
cannabis oil between states that have legalized it, parents would 
have to risk a "Smokey and the Bandit"-like trip from one of those 20 
states to Georgia. If they can get it somehow, the latest version of 
HB 885 would give them immunity from prosecution.

But the bill could also give them other means to get cannabis oil. 
Research hospitals could apply to run clinical studies using the oil.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta could have a study up and running by 
year's end if it seeks and obtains the necessary approvals, said 
David Tatum, CHOA's vice president for government affairs. Peake said 
he expects at least one medical college in the state to seek approval 
for a study as well.

So this is not a matter of false hope for these children and their 
parents, even if the bill doesn't go as far as some parents had hoped.

Lawmakers' reluctance to go further is in part because research into 
the use and long-term effects of cannabis oil is mostly anecdotal at 
this point. But the success it has shown -- along with the fact legal 
drugs for these seizures can cause liver damage, kidney failure, 
hyperactivity, depression or other side effects -- makes for a 
convincing case Georgia should let studies go forward.

That, and the daunting task ahead of those who feel compelled to go 
wherever they can to get cannabis oil for their children.

"It's difficult to pick up and move as a family, much less a 
special-needs family, to another state. And the point is, you 
shouldn't have to," said Shannon Cloud's husband, Blaine. The cost is 
not only a financial one: Moving also means leaving behind 
family-and-friend support networks and the doctors who have seen 
their children their entire, young lives.

In Haleigh's case, that even means leaving her dad behind in Georgia 
while she and her mom move west. At least until they can get the 
medicine she needs and -- assuming HB 885 becomes law -- return.

"It would mean getting our family back together," Janea Cox said. 
Until then, "he'll be in Georgia and we'll be in Colorado."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom