After a cannabis judgment, sick people go on a hunger strike

Cannabis judgment: Ill on hunger strike

09/03/2014

A few weeks ago, certain chronically ill patients were allowed by a court ruling to grow cannabis for self-therapy. After being appealed, several of the patients have gone on hunger strike in protest.

Authority appeals against judgment
A few weeks ago, a ruling by the Administrative Court of Cologne caused a sensation. Accordingly, the chronically ill, the cultivation of cannabis was allowed for therapeutic purposes, if they are otherwise nothing against the pain and cannabis from the pharmacy is unaffordable for them. The judges had said in July that the cultivation of the illegal drug was in principle banned, but under certain conditions he could as „compromise solution“ be allowed. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) wants to have the verdict, which allowed three chronically ill patients this cultivation, checked. As a spokesman for the BfArM announced on Tuesday, they had lodged an appeal at the Higher Administrative Court in Münster last week.

Chronically ill people respond with hunger strike
Affected responded quickly to the announcement. According to the Association of Cannabis as Medicine (ACM), six chronic patients have already gone on hunger strike in protest. ACM Chairman Franjo Grotenhermen emphasized that the verdict was an enormously important step for the patients concerned. „The appeal continues to unnecessarily delay affordable treatment with cannabis products“, so the doctor. „It is unreasonable for the severely ill patients affected to have to fight for their rights for years.“

Pain patients want to point out their distress
Also from the side of the Bonn authority was informed that she was looking for a quick clarification in terms of a medically meaningful and quality-assured care of patients. In addition, she regretted that, considering the state of health of some patients „These now decided to go on a hunger strike for a medical questionable measure“ have to draw attention to their concerns. According to ACM, pain patients from several federal states want to point out their distress. In chronic pain patients according to the demands of the association, the costs of treatment with drugs based on cannabis should be covered by the health insurance companies.

Cannabis as a medicine
Cannabis has long been used as a medicine in Germany. For example, its effectiveness in, among other things, nausea and vomiting, or cachexia, a condition in which severe emaciation results in extreme underweight, is well documented and proven. Some experts also recommend anesthetics for marijuana or hashish. In addition, cannabis has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects and has significantly milder side effects than most classic medicines. (Ad)