DES

We are writing this as mothers of gravely ill children who are on the brink of death every day and who simply want to alleviate our children’s suffering. Cannabis, a drug that could dramatically improve our children’s health, is not legally available in Iowa because of ignorance and misunderstanding.

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy has an opportunity to do right by our children by making rules to allow use of cannabis for medical use, permitted under the Iowa code. The board has the power to help thousands of other Iowans, young and old, who suffer unduly. The Iowa Legislature also has the power to allow the use of this natural plant for healing, and this session has been considering bills that would legalize its use as medicine.

We implore our leaders to be on the right side of history. The two of us and other mothers like us have been referred to as Iowa’s “marijuana moms,” but we prefer “cannabis moms.” Cannabis is a life-saving and life-changing medical treatment for the very ill. It has patented neuro-protective and antioxidant effects. Cannabis is a clinically proven treatment for MS, PTSD, HIV neuropathy, anorexia, epilepsy, leukemia, brain cancer, Crohn’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Our children, Quincy, age 12, and Margaret, age 24, suffer from uncontrolled epileptic seizures that since infancy that have destroyed their quality of life. The seizures can cause a violent interruption of brain function, lack of oxygen, loss of consciousness, physical injury, brain damage and or even SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy). It is the hardest feeling to stand helplessly by as your child gasps for air. Many family outings have been cancelled or destroyed due to a seizure, and we have completely changed our lives to care for our children.

In a desperate attempt to stop seizures, Quincy and Margaret have been prescribed non-FDA approved medications. They have tried dozens of dangerous medications and both have a pacemaker. As human guinea pigs, they have suffered serious side effects from these “approved” drugs, such as strange behaviors, aggression, constipation, urinary retention, muscle weakness, liver or kidney damage, nausea, kidney stones, extreme insomnia, nutritional deficiency and blood poisoning.

Cannabis has been a legal medical treatment in Alaska since 1996 and in Israel since the 1970s. The evidence is overwhelming that cannabis has accepted medical benefits. There are double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that show its effectiveness for many conditions. There is no denying its use as effective medicine. Any medicine can be abused, but that shouldn’t prevent safe access to this important drug for Iowa’s sickest residents. Iowans with conditions such as HIV, MS, cancer, spasticity, PTSD, and those in hospice are already risking criminalization to gain health benefit from cannabis.

We implore our leaders to allow safe access to cannabis immediately. The rules could be modeled after New Mexico, which are strict and are limited to those who truly need it for medical purposes — those for whom the benefits outweigh the risks. Iowa could be the first “smoke-free” medical cannabis state, offering cannabis oil, edibles, pills, topical creams, juicing or vaporizing — all healthy alternatives to smoking.

We ask our leaders to please be the heroes patients and their families are seeking. Some have said they are not acting because they are concerned Gov. Terry Branstad will veto any laws passed, but that is no excuse.

Do right by Quincy and Margaret. Make available the drugs they and their families need for longer and better lives.

MARIA LA FRANCE, the mother of Quincy, lives in Des Moines; SALLY GAER, the mother of Margaret, lives in West Des Moines. Contact: cannabisepilepsy survey@gmail.com