Medical marijuana user, denied liver transplant, dies
 

Medical marijuana user, denied liver transplant, dies
The Associated Press • published May 2, 2008 8:30 am



Seattle – A man who was denied a liver transplant because he used marijuana with medical approval to ease the symptoms of hepatitis C has died.

Timothy Garon, 56, died Thursday at Bailey-Boushay House, an intensive care nursing center, said his lawyer, Douglas Hiatt, and Alisha Mark, a spokeswoman for Virginia Mason Medical Center, which operates Bailey-Boushay.
His death came a week after his doctor told him a University of Washington Medical Center committee had again denied him a spot on the liver transplant list because of his use of marijuana, although it was authorized under Washington state law.

The case highlights an ethical consideration for those allocating organs for transplant: whether using dope with a doctor's blessing should be held against a dying patient in need of a transplant.

The Virginia-based United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees the nation's transplant system, leaves it to individual hospitals to develop criteria for transplant candidates.

At some, people who use "illicit substances" — including medical marijuana, even in the dozen states that allow it — are automatically rejected. At others, patients are given a chance to reapply if they stay clean for six months. Marijuana is illegal under federal law.

Dr. Brad Roter, who authorized Garon to smoke pot to alleviate nausea and abdominal pain and to stimulate his appetite, said he did not know it would be such a hurdle if Garon were to need a transplant.

Garon told The Associated Press last week he believed he contracted hepatitis C by sharing needles with "speed freaks" as a teenager. In recent years, he said, pot was been the only drug he used.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pb...019&source=rss

This just says it's OK to use narcotics if they are prescribed but dare you use something that actually works, your doomed. My hubby uses mj to relieve his pain and has been able to lower some of his other meds because of this. I cannot tell you how bad this upsets me. To think one can be denied life based on using something that works for them, relieves their pain and makes their quality of life better; only be told you are denied this life because you smoked pot is an outrage.

Sandy, I'm right there with you.

'Reefer Madness' still so pervasive.

I'm tired of people having to stay in the 'closet' about their marijuana use. Those who haven't used it couldn't possibly understand.

And then...look at what the United States deems legal and okay for consumption. Don't get me started on drunks killing other people on the road and getting slaps on the hands.

A friend of mine for 44 years now has hepatitis C. (He used needles 40 years ago - heroine. Very messed up state of mind at the time.) He lives near Eugene and has been trying to get into a program that will help him get the drugs that he needs (in Portland) (expensive treatment), to no avail so far.

He stays active, runs, works out, but you can see the illness is taking its toll on him. He's a wonderful and caring person, always has been...who went through a pretty bad streak back in the day.

And yes....he smokes pot.

Guess I better warn him about the frippin potential transplant problems.