Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jul 2014
Source: Waikato Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 Independent Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/486
Author: Josh Fagan
Page: 5

MUM'S PLEA: PLEASE ALLOW CANNABIS TRIALS

"It's hugely frustrating to see your child constantly seizuring and
knowing that . . . there's medicine that possibly could be helping
them."

A Rotorua woman says cannabis might help her 6-year-old daughter who
suffers seizures and wants the Government to "open their eyes" on the
medical marijuana debate.

Karen Jeffries' daughter, Zoe, was born with refractory seizure
disorder and Jeffries said she was told by doctors Zoe was unlikely to
live more than 24 hours.

Zoe survived, but has grown up on a "cocktail of pharmaceuticals" and
continues to suffer more than 100 seizures a day. She will never be
able to talk properly or walk without the aid of a frame.

Jeffries said cannabis oil, which was illegal in New Zealand, might be
a solution to giving Zoe a better chance at life, but she was fighting
an uphill battle to access the drug.

She is one of a growing number of New Zealanders calling for a
clinical trial of medical cannabis to treat children with rare diseases.

Several parents were risking fines or imprisonment by importing the
drug illegally while one mother said she grew her own plants to make
cannabis oil for her teenage daughter.

Jeffries said it was an "impossible situation" for families. "It's
hugely frustrating to see your child constantly seizuring and knowing
that elsewhere in the world there's medicine that possibly could be
helping them," she said.

"We never expect Zoe to jump up and start dancing and things like
that, but to have a break from being tired or drowsy all the time
would be great.

"There's every chance that it may not help. But we just want the
ability to find out."

Jeffries' Facebook group, Mothers for Medicinal Cannabis NZ, has
attracted more than 550 members in less than two months, with people
sharing advice and information on medical research.

She said parents were desperate for the Government to decriminalise
medical cannabis, or provide subsidies for the legally-approved
cannabis mouth spray Sativex, which costs $1000 for three small bottles.

"We're working on an application for Sativex ourselves but even if we
get it there's no way we could afford it," Jeffries said. "We'd need
some sort of concession." She remained optimistic the Government might
eventually review the laws and legalise cannabis.

"I think if we were talking about this two, three years ago it would
be a no-show, but I think there is so much pressure on, not just our
government, but around the world, and so much awareness, it would be
stupid for our country not to take it on.

"I just wish they would open their eyes a little bit
more."

Fairfax NZ
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