Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Cannabis Offers Hope To Cancer Patients
Hundreds of patients [in the UK] have been forced to pay for life-saving cancer treatment after NHS chiefs ruled that new pills which might improve or extend their lives were not "cost effective".
But many are now demanding refunds from the health service after spending tens of thousands of pounds of personal savings or loans, just to stay alive.
At least three London trusts have been targeted by patients making compensation claims, an investigation by the Evening Standard has found. In the first known case of its kind, one trust has been forced to refund a patient for a drug it initially refused to buy.
[...]
In America however they have another course of action open to them which we simply do not have in the United Kingdom as the case of Scott Paplowski clearly illustrates.
After eight months of treatment his weight dropped from 220 pounds to 86 pounds. Medical marijuana eased the nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain enough to restore his appetite and save his life.
Scott Paplowski is under absolutely no illusions - medical marijuana saved his life, and makes a daily contribution to his well-being as an appetite stimulant and a treatment against nausea. Although the American College of Physicians endorses the use of medical marijuana, Scott is a criminal in the eyes of the British government, simply for wishing to improve his quality of life.
He currently weighs 193 pounds and at 39 is believed to be the oldest living survivor of rhabdomyosarcoma, his form of cancer.
Most medical professionals also agree on the need for legal protection for medical cannabis patients and their doctors.
In February 2008, the American College of Physicians – the second largest U.S. medical association representing 124,000 physicians – issued a policy paper calling for legal protection for medical marijuana patients and for the federal government to respect the will of voters in states with medical marijuana laws.
What do you think? Add your comments.
Labels: Cannabis
Winter's coming. Snow makes a nice filter in water bongs. Or so I am told.....
<< Home
Alabama Internet
accordance and compliance with Fair Use Section 107 U.S. Copyright Code.
All other images and content © 2005-2009 David Drake.
Not responsible for content contained at linked sites.
Policy on commenting:
- Anonymous comments have little chance of being published.
- Comments made on posts 60 days old or older have little chance of being published.
- Published comments do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog author.
- Discretion of publishing or rejecting submitted comments rests solely with the owner and creator of this blog.
- Comments that egregiously "plug" (i.e. advertise or promote) another site or blog will be rejected. This doesn't mean you cannot include a link to your story, blog or to another site, but don't go overboard.
- Profanity is not a disqualifying factor, but profane rants solely for purposes of profanity are unlikely to be published.
- The owner and creator of this blog is not liable or responsible for the opinions of those who comment.
