Scott Paplowski is under absolutely no illusions - medical marijuana saved his life, and makes a daily contribution to his well-being as an appetite stimulant and a treatment against nausea.
Although the American College of Physicians endorsed the use of medical marijuana back in February 2008, Scott is a criminal in the eyes of federal law, simply for wishing to improve his quality of life.
Although confusingly under State law, Scott is entitled to use cannabis in the relief of his medical conditions. Confused?
Scott Paplowski Scott was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer when he was 16. The prognosis wasn't good. Sufferers of Scott's particular type of cancer, which normally only afflicts younger people, are split around 70/30. Only around 70% of patients survive in the longer term (2 years +).
I think its fair to suggest that to most people, the thought of denying treatment for a life threatening illness on the grounds of saving big business another couple of trillion dollars is inhumane. Barbaric. But thats exactly what this Labour government is doing when it reclassifies cannabis in 2009. Join us on the new Canna Zine cannabis forums , and lend us your voice and your vote, as we strive to not only halt the reclassification, but also lobby government to open sensible dialogue on the future of UK cannabis law.
After eight months of aggressive, highly toxic anti-cancer treatment his weight dropped from 220 pounds to 86 pounds.
Medical marijuana eased the nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain just long enough to restore some of his appetite, and in doing so it probably save his life.
If you think that a bit melodramatic, try this on for size.
As a result of Scott's unorthadox treatment regime, he currently weighs 193 pounds and at 39 is believed to be the oldest survivor of rhabdomyosarcoma, his form of cancer, in the world today.
Early in 2009 the United Kingdom is set to change the laws on cannabis, reclassifying the substance back to a class B drug, which brings with it the prospect of a 14 year prison term and before that happens I think its time the Great British public asked itself this question;
Would you imprison Scott Paplowski, (or any other medical user) for using cannabis?
Canna Zine - Daily zine for the global cannabis scene - Join us!
