Cannitrol – Cannabis Control Agent

Marijuana news from around the world

Jason David

British Discovery May Explain Why Boy With Epilepsy Benefits From Marijuana

epilepsy in the brain

Earlier this week we at marijuana.net were pleased to report findings on the newest marijuana initiative polls.  The polls have been mostly favorable and show the public is ready to drastically change America’s approach to marijuana law.  However, for those tired of numbers, the election, and Mitt Romney’s view on moochers and 47% of the country, we have some exciting news on a medical cannabis breakthrough.

Patient testimonials have shown for some time that marijuana can be an effective remedy for epileptic seizures.  A recent L.A. Times article describes the findings researchers at Britain’s University of Reading.  They found that a cannabinoid named cannabidivarin (CBDV) “strongly suppressed seizures” without causing the commonly associated side effects such as uncontrollable shaking during a test on lab rats.  Dr. Ben Whalley, who was the lead researcher of the study was pleased to find a potential new path to combating epilepsy.  He recently said “There is a pressing need for better treatments for epilepsy.  It’s a chronic condition with no cure and currently, in around one third of cases, the currently available treatments do not work, cause serious side-effects and increase fatalities.”

The research findings, published this week in British Journal of Pharmacology may shed light on why  California father, Jason David, has found that marijuana is the only effective treatment in trying to provide relief for his ailing son Jayden.  Think Progress has posted an article describing Jason’s moving words regarding his son’s situation.  In short, Jason stated that his son has uncontrollable seizures that so far were only treated with ineffective prescription drugs.  Jason asked his physician if medical marijuana would be worth trying, and his doctor informed him that anything would be worth a try as doing nothing would likely result in Jayden’s death.  The seizures were taking a toll on Jayden’s body and it became clear that something had to be done immediately, even if controversial.  Jason turned to marijuana, but instead of smoking Jayden actually is given a solution comprised of mostly cannabidiol (CBD).  Jayden’s condition was improved almost immediately.  Jason described what happened when they started the treatment by saying “That was the first day, thank god, Jayden ever went seizure-free in his life. The prescription drugs, I feel like they made my son a zombie. Every time I take off another pill, the better he gets.”

Both the findings at the University of Reading and the situation.  As authorities still try to assert that marijuana ‘has no acceptable medical uses” research is obliterating this outdated argument.  More research and regulation may even be able to provide Jayden with tailored medicine to combat his epilepsy with even greater results.  While Jason David is pleased to see his son doing better, he is now confronted with the possibility that his son’s medication may be compromised by federal authorities targeting the world’s largest marijuana dispensary, Harborside Health Center.  Poll numbers and politics have a habit of melting in the true faces that policy impacts.  Perhaps the feds should try to explain their platform on medical marijuana to young Jayden.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,