Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2015
Source: Telegram, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2015 The Telegram
Contact:  http://www.thetelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/303
Author: Barb Sweet
Page: A1

MARIJUANA OIL ADVOCATE STILL HOPES FOR CLINICAL TRIALS

A St. John's man who is convinced marijuana oil cured his cancer is 
still hoping to convince health authorities to do informal clinical trials.

In 2013 and 2014, The Telegram told the story of Paul Morrissey, now 
66, who credits marijuana oil treatment with putting him on the mend 
from prostate cancer.

Since then, Morrissey has abandoned medical treatment and said the 
response he got from some specialists was off putting.

"I didn't feel much support at any stage for the marijuana oil and 
its potential," Morrissey said Tuesday, adding he feels good physically.

Last year, Morrissey's family doctor confirmed to The Telegram that 
Morrissey's prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood levels had improved 
dramatically and there was some regression in his lymph nodes and 
abdomen, but could not say if the unorthodox marijuana oil treatment 
caused the improvement.

Morrissey has said he initially did take pill medication for roughly 
a month and an injection prescribed by an oncologist, but claims he 
refused chemotherapy and radiation.

And in 2013, Morrissey put his faith in the marijuana oil treatment, 
but said he also relied on his religious faith and prayers to get him 
through the health scare.

He was sold on the controversial marijuana oil treatment after 
watching a video by Rick Simpson of Maccan, N.S., called "Run from the Cure."

In the video, Simpson claims marijuana oil is nature's miracle and 
that he gave it away to about 5,000 people for free until he ran into 
legal barriers.

On his way to Toronto in 2012, Morrissey stopped in Maccan and 
visited with Simpson and some others featured in the video, which 
suggests marijuana oil as a fix not only for cancer but some other diseases.

Since then, Morrissey has advocated for clinical trials and said he 
wouldn't expect federal authorities to go for the idea, but hopes 
someone in the province will be open to it.

Cannabis or marijuana products and their derivatives are illegal and 
fall under Schedule II of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Morrissey said he's never been approached by police about his use of the oil.

"I'm 66 years old. ... What are they going to do to me? Put me in 
jail?" he asked.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom