Pubdate: Thu, 20 Mar 2014
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2014 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Seth Hyman
Page: 14A

ANOTHER WAY TO HELP OUR KIDS, PASS MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW

Our younger daughter Rebecca has severe disabilities. Despite all of
her challenges, it's her uncontrollable seizures that take a life
threatening toll on her daily.

Many states have legalized the oil extracted from buzz-free medical
marijuana, which has been shown to be effective in children who suffer
from intractable epilepsy, like our Becca. It's time for Florida to do
the same. Today, the Florida House of Representatives' Appropriations
Committee will hear testimony forHB843, which along with SB1030, would
decriminalize a certain strain of tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC)
marijuana. This marijuana oil is non-euphoric and has no potential
for abuse or street value.

Why is time of the essence? Ask Catrina Nelson of Utah, whose daughter
Charlee had hundreds of seizures a day and has been the inspiration
for Utah's Charlee's Law, which would legalize this type of oil to
control seizures. The bill passed Utah's House and Senate by wide
margins, and is expected to be signed by Gov. Gary Herbert.

Charlee's smiles and will power were no match for her seizures. She
died Saturday at age 6. Her parents were so close and yet so far.

Time is of the essence, Florida lawmakers. Help is needed now. Please
don't let politics get in the way of a potential life-saving medicine
for our children.

Seth Hyman, Weston
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MAP posted-by: Matt