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RainDog

(28,784 posts)
Sat Jan 25, 2014, 03:28 AM Jan 2014

1947 Epilepsy/Cannabis Report

DeSwiss posted a TedTalk from one of the Stanley brothers, the growers of Charlotte's Web, the CBD-bred cannabis used for children with severe seizure disorders (more than one of them.) In the video, he talks about the things we've discussed here - cannabis as medicine for a variety of disorders. I'll repost the ted talk from this link - http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017171541

He also talks about a 1947 report that appeared in the news in the U.S. that noted Cannabis stopped seizures from epilepsy.

http://antiquecannabisbook.com/chap03/Epilepsy/Epilepsy-P1.htm

The below newspaper article, taken from the “Salt Lake City telegram [May 20, 1947], was located via the National Archives (College Park, MD). It belonged to and was integrated into the files of Harry Anslinger’s old Bureau of Narcotics, today known as the D.E.A. We believe that it was the first that Anslinger knew about the study, and thus was too late to CENSOR or put a stop to it.

The full article is at this link:

Drug principles isolated from leaves of marijuana, an innocent-looking plant that grows wild in different parts of the world, are playing an important role in research on a cure for epilepsy.

This is the same marijuana which so many people fear as a habit-forming drug and which is noted for the opium-like dreams it produces in those who partake of it.

The drugs being used are synthetic substances related to cannabinol, which is contained in marijuana, but does not produce the same effects. Dr. Jean P. Davis, faculty researcher at the University of Utah medical college, has done considerable research with the drugs in treatment of minor and convulsive epilepsy.

She reports that the drugs have been found effective about 50% of the time. Future for epileptics appears “very bright,” she said, “because of not only one new drug, but a whole field of new compounds to combat epileptic seizures.”


The Stanley brother who presented the Ted talk noted that a child in Indiana, who suffers from Dravet's Syndrome epilepsy died. His parents could not move and they could not legally request the plant extract from the Stanley brothers.

Charlotte's mother, who is part of a foundation for families who deal with childhood epilepsy, noted they get 4000 calls per week from people seeking information about relocating to CO in order to provide this medicine for their children.

Here's the story of one of them (x-post DeSwiss) - http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024385993

Thankfully we are moving into a time of cannabis acceptance. But these children and their families can't wait. It's impossible for some people to move. Your state of residence shouldn't be a death sentence because some lawmakers refuse to act to correct the lies they have been telling for 80 years regarding cannabis.
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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1947 Epilepsy/Cannabis Report (Original Post) RainDog Jan 2014 OP
The Stanley Brother Ted Talk RainDog Jan 2014 #1
There's nothing new under the sun..... DeSwiss Jan 2014 #2
I cringe when I think of the number of.... ReRe Jan 2014 #3
Damned straight. My daughter had two epileptic seizures as an infant .... Scuba Jan 2014 #4
I agree RainDog Jan 2014 #7
I suffered with seizures from the age of 17 to 26... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2014 #9
My severely epileptic dog is now 12 years old. tridim Jan 2014 #5
wow RainDog Jan 2014 #8
Amazing Jesus Malverde Jan 2014 #6
I had several grand mal seizures rhiannon55 Jan 2014 #10

ReRe

(10,597 posts)
3. I cringe when I think of the number of....
Sat Jan 25, 2014, 04:59 AM
Jan 2014

.... individuals that this could have helped over the years. It just makes your mind wonder what else they haven't told us about, as in other possible medical break-throughs. Thanks for the OP, RainDog.

 

Scuba

(53,475 posts)
4. Damned straight. My daughter had two epileptic seizures as an infant ....
Sat Jan 25, 2014, 08:24 AM
Jan 2014

... the docs put her on phenobarbital for eight years. Results: two dysfunctional kidneys, constant migraine headaches.

And to make matters worse, her mother is still so brainwashed about MJ that she refuses to even consider relocating to a state where it is legal for medical use. US policy has destroyed my daughter and my marriage as a result.

RainDog

(28,784 posts)
7. I agree
Sat Jan 25, 2014, 02:02 PM
Jan 2014

And, up until this very year, the drug warriors have claimed no medical value for cannabis.

Those agencies who do this need to be shuttered. They have caused more harm than good, imo.

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
9. I suffered with seizures from the age of 17 to 26...
Sat Jan 25, 2014, 07:02 PM
Jan 2014

The dilantin pretty much killed my upper teeth. I am 46 with an upper plate because of it.

tridim

(45,358 posts)
5. My severely epileptic dog is now 12 years old.
Sat Jan 25, 2014, 09:59 AM
Jan 2014

The vet said she probably wouldn't make it to 5. My dog-expert aunt suggested I put her down 10 years ago.

A small oral dose once a month and her seizure activity instantly dropped by 95%. 95%!

Taking care of a severe epileptic is pure, never-ending stress. It gave both of us our lives back.

RainDog

(28,784 posts)
8. wow
Sat Jan 25, 2014, 02:08 PM
Jan 2014

Before my son was dx'd with autism, the doctor thought he might have epilespy, so we had to go through various tests - MRIs, EKGs, tests a pediatric neurologist did in the hallway of his office that were simple things like throwing and catching and running.

It was harrowing, going through that time. They had to sedate my son to get him into the MRI machine.

The stress that parents go through when a child is ill are substantial and life altering as well. I feel for those parents with children with a life-threatening disorder because I know what it's like to live with the daily fear of injury because of an illness in the ones you love.

I'm glad your dog has been able to find some peace.

Our nations' children deserve no less.

rhiannon55

(2,671 posts)
10. I had several grand mal seizures
Tue Jan 28, 2014, 11:15 PM
Jan 2014

between the ages of 16 and 26. I started smoking weed when I was 28, have smoked regularly since then (I'm 62), and have never had another seizure. I've always wondered if there was a connection.

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