Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Copyright: 2014 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc Contact: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340 Page: A14 DRUG WARRIORS The Joana family lost their 15- month-old daughter, Sabina Rose, in December to Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that starts in infancy. Since then, at least 14 other American children have died of Dravet syndrome and other forms of epilepsy. Although medical marijuana is thought to alleviate the symptoms and is legal in New Jersey, where the Joanas live, the state's program is so stringent that the families of Sabina Rose and other children like her have been unable to obtain derivatives of the drug. To qualify for New Jersey's medical marijuana program, a patient must have a specified condition diagnosed by a certified doctor, such as a seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, cancer, Crohn's disease, muscular dystrophy, glaucoma, or a terminal illness with a prognosis of fewer than 12 months to live. But the program forces families and individuals with these and other legitimate illnesses to leap through too many hoops. Patients must be approved by a program-certified physician even if they already have a doctor who is familiar with their condition. It can take months to receive these doctor approvals. Furthermore, even after patients qualify, the existence of only six marijuana dispensaries in New Jersey, as well as the high fees in place, can make it difficult for sick people to get the drug. Gov. Christie has been a consistent obstacle to efforts to implement the state's medical marijuana program, saying recently that he was "done expanding the medical marijuana program under any circumstances. So we're done." Done helping children? Why should those suffering from serious illnesses have such a hard time obtaining a legal medical treatment? Recent years have seen a nationwide movement toward legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia now allow medical marijuana, while Colorado and Washington have made it legal for recreational use as well. In Pennsylvania, meanwhile, stories like the Joanas' have moved Gov. Corbett and legislators to open the door to medical use of marijuana and its derivatives. A state Senate committee recently passed a bill to legalize marijuana for medical use. In Philadelphia, City Council has passed legislation to reduce the penalty for minor marijuana possession to a $ 25 fine. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has vowed to ignore the measure, but Mayor Nutter should see to it that the administration abides by the law. Such moves toward more moderate and enlightened policy on marijuana should also inspire Christie to reconsider his stance. After the death of their daughter, the Joana family started the Love Nugget Foundation, whose mission is to "advocate for commonsense laws to help medical advancements, as well as raise funds to assist children with various forms of epilepsy." It's currently raising money to offset the costs of medical devices that aren't covered by insurance. But Paula Joana, Sabina Rose's mother, said she remains "50 percent skeptical" about the prospects for a more effective medical marijuana program. The governor should change course for the sake of other families like hers. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom