Pubdate: Sat, 26 Apr 2014
Source: Penticton Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.pentictonherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/664
Author: James Miller

LET CHILD HAVE HER MEDICINE

The thought of supplying a toddler with marijuana sounds ludicrous,
but it's exactly what Kyla Williams needs. The thought of supplying a
toddler with marijuana sounds ludicrous, but it's exactly what Kyla
Williams needs.

The two-year-old from Summerland was born with epilepsy and averages
100 seizures a day. During her short lifetime, Kyla has tried
everything from a controversial diet to various pharmaceutical
cocktails, and nothing worked long term.

In fact, the results made her worse in many ways.

After viewing a CNN report on childhood cancer patients and epileptics
who are being treated with cannabis in the U.S., Kyla's mother and
grandparents explored the possibility of experimenting with a strain
of medical marijuana known as Charlotte's Web.

The problem is that even with medical pot laws changing in Canada,
this form has not been legalized - even though it contains very little
THC, the buzz-producing ingredient in pot.

Growing it themselves is not an option, her grandparents Chris and
Elaine Nuessler say. They wouldn't dare risk treating a two-year-old
if they're not 100 per cent aware of what they're doing.

They've even considered uprooting the family to Colorado, where
Charlotte's Web is legal.

Chris, a retired cop, notes medical marijuana laws in Canada "are so
convoluted." That's a gross understatement. They're confusing.

Medical marijuana might not work for Kyla, but "What do we have to
lose?" said her mother.

Kyla's quest has become a national story - and there's hope in that it
may produce some action.

If marijuana is legal in some forms, we need to allow patients and
their guardians the opportunity to use it under doctor
supervision.

It might just work. It could save a life. It could end tremendous
pain.

Time is not on this little girl's side.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt