A
hot topic in epilepsy research these days is in medical marijuana. There have been anecdotal reports that
marijuana has helped certain patients with severe forms of epilepsy, in
particular, a childhood epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome.
Support
for medical marijuana research has been erratic because
of the conflicting policies between states and the federal government. It is legal in a total of 34 states either on a limited or more broad basis. But ironically, marijuana growing and transporting is a federal crime, even for medicinal use. As a result, it has been difficult to move forward. Now however, the U.S. government is in the growing business for research of its own. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/29/nida-marijuana-research_n_5737592.html )
of the conflicting policies between states and the federal government. It is legal in a total of 34 states either on a limited or more broad basis. But ironically, marijuana growing and transporting is a federal crime, even for medicinal use. As a result, it has been difficult to move forward. Now however, the U.S. government is in the growing business for research of its own. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/29/nida-marijuana-research_n_5737592.html )
The
University of Colorado is conducting a study focused on a
strain called Charlotte’s Web, named for Charlotte Figi, the first patient
treated successfully with marijuana. (http://time.com/3264691/medical-marijauna-epilepsy-research-charlottes-web-study/) It
is low in the element that causes psychotic behavior (THC) and high in cannabidiol (CBD), which is believed to reduce
seizures.
And
now, there is hope on the horizon for federal marijuana legalization. In July 2014, a bipartisan bill called the “Charlotte’s
Web Medical Hemp Act of 2014” was introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives to provide access to medical marijuana to those with epilepsy. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/28/medical-marijuana-legalization_n_5627810.html)
Its status is still questionable, but the
product has been made available. (http://www.ladybud.com/2014/09/18/realm-of-caring-announces-charlottes-web-to-be-shipped-to-all-50-us-states/)
Marijuana
is among the many experimental treatments that are waiting to be discovered and
possibly put into use. Medications,
diets, herbal treatments, surgeries, including implantable devices. Who knows what else? I hope one day we will have an answer.
Just
a reminder that if you are interested, you can still register for tomorrow’s
Mayo Clinic Webinar on Pediatric Epilepsy Treatment Options. Medical marijuana may be a topic of
discussion. See my previous post for registration information.
No comments:
Post a Comment