Pubdate: Sun, 20 Apr 2014
Source: Oneida Daily Dispatch (NY)
Copyright: 2014 Oneida Daily Dispatch - a Journal Register Property
Contact:  http://www.oneidadispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4546
Author: Paula Ann Mitchell
Page: A5

GETTING CARE IN COLORADO

Kingston Baby With Rare Genetic Disorder Undergoes Medical Marijuana 
Treatment

KINGSTON - There's a dramatic change in 11-month-old Mabel Grace
Tangney Decker, and her mother likes what she's seeing.

The two left Kingston for Colorado in January, hoping to find
something - anything - that would help the baby in her battle against
CDKL5, a rare X-linked genetic disorder characterized by seizures and
severe neurodevelopment impairment.

"I see her more aware of herself and more aware of me, and what mother
doesn't want that?" said Carly Tangney-Decker. "I see her making
better eye contact, and her sense of balance has improved."

Since Mabel has been on cannabidiol, or CBD, a marijuana compound
being used for medicinal purposes in states like Colorado, she also
has looser hamstrings, her mother noted.

"Tight hamstrings kept her from being able to sit. Her physical
therapist noted that they were no longer tight. The CBD relaxes the
tense muscles."

Tangney- Decker is among thousands to uproot and flock to states like
Colorado where medical marijuana is legal and being used to treat
those who are suffering from chronic illnesses.

Mabel Grace has only been on CBD, an oil extracted from the marijuana
plant, for about three weeks, and though her seizures haven't stopped,
her mother is heartened by the other improvements.

"She's sitting by herself for about five or 10 seconds before she
falls over, and she even made her first attempt to crawl,"
Tangney-Decker said.

All that aside, the Ulster County woman said she misses her husband,
Jeff Decker, who remains behind in Kingston, working to pay the bills
and maintaining the family's home.

"I'm out here all alone with a special needs kid," Tangney-Decker
said. "I'm on the other side of the country for my whole support system.

"It's really very frustrating.

Without a doubt, legalizing medical marijuana has become a smoking hot
topic nationwide.

Maryland became the 21st state on April 14 to adopt a measure for its
medicinal use, and Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a companion bill into
law decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

All eyes now turn to New York, which is considering some form of a
medical marijuana program.

While the Compassionate Care Act has already passed in the state
Assembly, it remains stalled in the Senate.

Many are optimistic it will move forward when lawmakers return for
session on April 28.

"We believe once it's brought to the floor, it will pass," said
Gabriel Sayegh of the Drug Policy Alliance.

"The reason we are so confident is you've got an enormous amount of
people willing to support this bill. We understand it's not done until
it's done, but we're closer...than ever before."
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MAP posted-by: Matt