Jun 18th, 2018
Medical Cannabis
By Becca McCarthy
It was all over the news this weekend. The new Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, allowed a 12 year old boy to have his cannabis oil medication back after he was left fighting for his life in hospital. [1] Even though the treatment is still illegal in the UK. [2]
This is a big shift for the government. But they’re still being cautious and trying to make this seem like a one-off case. [3] There are hundreds of other children who need the same treatment. Like 5 year old Murray, who has a rare form of epilepsy that causes him to suffer hundreds of seizures every week, leaving his family feeling helpless. [4]
That’s why Murray’s mum Karen set up a petition a few months ago, asking the government to help her son and others. Over 183,000 of us have already signed. But the moment to pile on the pressure is now – when it’s high up on Sajid Javid’s agenda and high in the news.
If thousands more of us pile in now, we can show that we expect him to find a solution to help all these children, and we won’t let this die down. If you think children like Murray should get the NHS treatment they need, sign the petition now:
Lots of other countries have already made prescriptions for medicinal cannabis oil legal, including countries in the EU. In the US it’s helped people deal with conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. [5] This isn’t about wanting to legalise all drugs, it’s about helping our NHS treat serious illnesses so that patients can live better lives.
Right now children like Murray are suffering because the government don’t want to look like they are softening laws on drugs, even if it’s the right thing to do. Murray’s mum Karen has joined forces with lots of other parents who are going through the same thing. [6] But they can’t do it alone. They need our help.
NOTES:
[1] The Guardian: Home Office returns cannabis oil for boy’s epilepsy treatment:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/16/billy-caldwells-mother-hopeful-of-cannabis-medicine-licence
The Telegraph: Government considers a review of law on licensing medicinal cannabis:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/15/epileptic-schoolboy-life-threatening-condition-home-office-seizes/
The Daily Mail: Epileptic boy, six, is set to become second to be allowed cannabis oil as ministers look to change the law after Billy Caldwell case:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5853251/Epileptic-Alfie-Dingley-Kenilworth-cannabis-oil-licence-Billy-Caldwell-case.html
[2] BBC: Review needed on medicinal cannabis cases, says May:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-44518242
[3] The Guardian: May refuses to back Hunt on changing medicinal cannabis laws:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2018/jun/18/hunt-admits-brexit-divident-wont-be-anything-like-enough-to-fund-pms-20bn-boost-for-nhs-politics-live?page=with:block-5b27a70de4b02fa070a14d72#block-5b27a70de4b02fa070a14d72
[4] The Scotsman: Mum shares video of son’s fit in bid to legalise cannabis oil:
https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/mum-shares-video-of-son-s-fit-in-bid-to-legalise-cannabis-oil-1-4713322
[5] Medicinal cannabis comes in many forms, but one that is used for treatment comes as an oil: Epilepsy Foundation: Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy:
https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/medical-marijuana-and-epilepsy
[6] Families 4 Access: Meet The Mothers & Their Children:
https://www.families4access.com/stories/
