Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 2015
Source: Cairns Post (Australia)
Copyright: 2015 The Cairns Post Pty. Ltd.
Website: http://www.cairns.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/617
Author: Daniel Bateman
Page: 3

LET US BE THE FIRST TO TRY

Premier swayed on cannabis trial by epileptics

A CAIRNS mum whose two daughters suffer from a rare and painful
disease wants them to be among the first patients involved in
Queensland's medical cannabis trials

Sherri Hickey, whose teenaged daughters Elyshia and Emily - aged 19
and 15 - have both been diagnosed with the rare Ehlers-Danlos
syndrome, says medical marijuana would provide them with an effective
alternative for pain relief.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that Queensland will take
part in medical marijuana trials aimed at helping people with various
illnesses, including children with epilepsy.

Elyshia is currently in Cairns Hospital obtaining treatment for her
debilitating condition, which has left her STORIES of children with
drug-resistant epilepsy have reportedly moved Queensland's premier
into announcing the state's first trial of medicinal cannabis..

Another symptom of the genetic condition is chronic, early-onset,
debilitating musculoskeletal pain, which she experiences almost daily.

Her mother said yesterday she would love for Elyshia to be involved
with a clinical trial for medical marijuana, administered by her pain
specialist.

"At the moment, the only way Elyshia mother of a boy who suffers
uncontrollable epilepsy and is keen to see whether cannabis can help.

"People just need more -options.''

She hit back at claims the trials would lead to legalised recreational
use of marijuana and added that if medical -cannabis was legalised, it
would also free up resources within public hospitals.

"Our pain specialist has told us that chronic pain takes up more
resources, more money, and involves more people than heart disease and
diabetes put together,'' she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland's trial would allow state and national
experts to look deeper into the issue.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch is helping push a Bill through federal
Parliament to legalise similar trials.

He welcomed the move from State Labor.

He urged the State Government to commit to a trial in the Far
North.

"Let's not keep this in the southeast. There are people up here that
are suffering from =C2=85 diseases where medical cannabis has a profound
positive impact," he said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt