Chubut has become the first province to approve the use of cannabis oil in the public health system, ensuring that it will now be stocked in public hospitals for the treatment of epilepsy caused by the Dravet syndrome.
Governor Mario Das Neves has enacted legislation passed by the Legislature, which includes the use of cannabis oil known as Charlottes Web be included in the public health system not only for epilepsy but also for other pathologies that the provincial health minister deems appropriate. The oil is manufactured by a company in the United States, where it is considered a medical form of cannabis in some states. Due to its composition it does not produce a high associated with other marijuana products as has a low percentage of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.
The law approved by the Legislature also stipulates that the oil be added into the medication covered by health programmes provided to public employees.
Legilsator Gutavo Fita of the Victory Front (FpV), told Télam that he was very satisfied because from now on Chubut families that need cannabis oil for the treatment of a disesase are no longer going to have the travel to the Customs Office in Buenos Aires to get and they are going to be more at ease.
A return trip to Buenos Aires from the Patagonian province of Chubut clocks in at well over 3,000 kilometres.
Without a doubt this going to bring people closer to this medication that reduced the number of seizures in epilepsy patients from 60 episodes to two to three per week and of a lesser intensity.
Fita spearheaded the effort in the provincial legislature to approve the bill, which was eventually approved with 15 FpV votes, one from Lets Change (Camiemos) and several abstentions.
Fita recalled that one of the reasons for the advocacy was the story of Micaela, who suffers from severe and debilitating seizures, and the failure of convention treatments, specialists and medication to provide any relief. Micaela was taking up to 27 pills a day and was suffering up to 10 seizures a day lasting up 35 minutes. Her mother, Carola, said that after discovering cannabis oil as an alternative, she was hesitant at first to use the altrnative threatments, even after legally acquiring it through an importation process that required an increible about of bureaucratic paperwork.
But the worsening of her condition and the circumstances forced the use of the oil and I had immediate results concerning the seizures, dropping drown from 10 a day to two or three a week and of less intensity she said to Télam.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Chubut First To Accept Cannabis Oil
Author: Staff
Contact: Buenos Aires Herald
Photo Credit: Jim Mone
Website: Buenos Aires Herald
