Pubdate: Mon, 25 Aug 2014
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 2014 Gary Storck
Contact:  http://host.madison.com/ct/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/73
Author: Gary Storck

BEST HELP FOR ALS MAY BE TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Dear Editor: The "ice bucket challenge" to raise awareness about ALS is
all the rage among politicians these days, including Wisconsin Gov.
Scott Walker and his wife, Tonette.

As there are few conventional treatments for ALS, perhaps the best way
to help those suffering would be to instead advocate for legalizing
medical cannabis in Wisconsin.

In May, I attended a conference in Portland, Ore., presented by
Patients Out of Time, "The Endocannabinoid System and Age-Related Illnesses."

In a presentation on ALS and cannabis, Dr. Gregory T. Carter, a
clinical professor at the University of Washington, stated that
medical cannabis is "almost custom-made to treat ALS. It dries the
mouth up, relieves pain, eases muscle spasms, improves the appetite,
and may well have a disease-modifying effect."

He also noted that researchers found that in mouse models of ALS,
cannabinoids extended life span by 50 percent. This is more than
backed up in the experiences of Florida ALS patient Cathy Jordan, who
was first diagnosed in 1986 and is still alive today thanks to daily
medication with medical cannabis. Jordan attended the Portland
conference and was a presenter at the group's 2012 conference in
Tucson, Ariz.

Wisconsin's Jacki Rickert Medical Cannabis Act includes ALS as a
qualifying condition. If he really wants to help ALS patients and
their families, Gov. Walker has the authority to call lawmakers back
into special session to pass the JRMCA.

Wisconsinites overwhelmingly support medical cannabis. It's time to
change some faces at the Capitol this November if we can't change the
minds of those currently serving.

Gary Storck

co-founder, Is My Medicine Legal YET?

Madison 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D