LEGALISING CANNABIS FOR medicinal purposes is a step closer today as activists for the bill have told how life-changing it would be for it to become law.
People across the country suffering with debilitating diseases and injuries can have their chronic pain soothed through the use of a mix of cannabis medications.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said he would not block the bill proposed by AAA-PBP TD Gino Kenny and Harris said he wants the policy to be removed.
However, despite the bill’s passing, it is expected to take a number of months before it could potentially become law.
This is an issue for Vera Twomey, whose daughter Ava has a very rare form of epilepsy called Dravet’s syndrome.
Since taking the cannabis oil, Ava’s seizures have reduced dramatically and her mother said the young girl has seen her life change in so many ways.
She told TheJournal.ie: We are really excited and looking forward to the bill tonight. Hopefully they’ll take on board the amount of information out there. This would mean a complete and utter change to everything that has happened to our family in the last six years.
My daughter’s life has been controlled by seizures. She has battled ever single day to keep ahead of the seizures.
“Since we began the CDB oil in October, her seizures have reduced. She’s ahppy, smiling more, sleeping better. Teachers in her school say she’s more engaged with other students.
Its like getting to know a new part of our daughter we didn’t know was there
Twomey’s concerns have been echoed by Claire Mitchell, who has Multiple Sclerosis, a degenerative neurological condition which causes stiffness and pain in many patients.
She said that time is of the essence because, although she doesn’t suffer with serious pain, there are thousands across the country whose agony can be relieved the moment the bill is passed.
Mitchell said: “CBD hugely helps me for my muscle stiffness and other. At the end of the day, I want to be able to buy it legally. I hope the bill goes through as soon as possible. But you know yourself, I’ll keep the fingers crossed. I’m hopeful because there’s been so much discussion.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say