Pubdate: Thu, 14 May 2015
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Joey Bunch

ACCESS TO MEDICAL POT SOUGHT

Sens. Bennet, Gardner Want Federal Law to Aid Kids, Adults

Colorado's U. S. senators, Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, are 
backing federal legislation to allow children with seizures and 
adults with intractable epilepsy to have access to medical marijuana.

The proposed Therapeutic HempMedical Access Act would lift federal 
prohibitions across the country on using marijuana strains that are 
medically beneficial to prevent certain seizures.

Gardner, a Republican, and Bennet, a Democrat, announced the bill 
with Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon and 
Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Johnny Isakson of Georgia at 
the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday.

Because of federal prohibitions, some families who are seeking the 
help are forced to relocate to such states as Colorado, where they 
can obtain the medicine, the lawmakers argue.

"Colorado has become a haven for people in need and parents desperate 
to pursue treatment for their children," Gardner said in a statement. 
"Making this medicine available nationwide is the right thing to do 
and would help families cope with these serious illnesses."

Bennet said: "No parent wants to see their child suffer. At the very 
least, we should ease these restrictions to ensure that families have 
access to the medicine that their kids need."

The act would apply to such strains as Charlotte's Web, which was 
developed for kids and named for Charlotte Figi, an 8year-old 
Colorado girl whose seizures from a rare form of epilepsy caused her 
to stop speaking before her symptoms subsided while using the product.

The bill is supported by the national Epilepsy Foundation and the 
Coalition for Access Now.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom