My story

[ashka]

3 years ago I had a really sore eye ache and went to doctors 3 times only to be told there was nothing wrong and that it was probably from too much sun and sand which I am guilty of as beach it a lot. Only went to doctors thinking I needed a referral to go to optometrist but then found out that I could just walk in a make an appointment. Went to optometrist and within minutes I was putting eye drops in and making arrangements to go to Perth. Eyedrops stopped working very quickly. Had lazer which was super painful for about a week and that failed. Had a lens transplant which was did not go well and vision got blurry straight away. One has to have a lens transplant before a trabeculectomy apparently. Anyway had a trabeculectomy(last option when all else fails) and vision reduced from 70% to 2% as this type of eye operation is risky at the best of times. This all happened within 5 months. Within 18 months it started to hurt again and apparently the trabeculectomy has healed up so needs doing again!!!!!!

 

Perth is 750 kilometres away so a major effort and must have made well over 15 trips and stayed for weeks.

 

Many hours spent researching on the net showed the amazing benefits of cannabis on intraocular pressure so as any sane person would do, I started smoking it if I could get some to find it relieved all symptoms of pressure as well as any other ailments. So I started asking doctors, optometrist, opthamologist about trying it and have got a mixed reaction from (oh no think of all the side effects)!!!!!!!!!!! to (yes if you were in USA you would be handed a medical cannabis card instantly) and yes lots of people are having success with cannabis.

 

Now the opthamologist wants to start the whole process with my other eye.

 

I feel that I have given western medicine more than a fair go and appreciate their attempts to save my eyesight but would like the opportunity to at least try cannabis as it has been successful for other glaucoma patients. An Australian law is preventing me from trying to retain my remaining eyesight, now that would have to be constitutionally wrong as well as totally inhumane.

 

I dont want pity, just a fair go.

 

So as a matter of principle I will fight for the right of people to at least have the opportunity to try cannabis for themselves for whatever illness they suffer.

[El Gato]

man thats fucked. Good luck with it all Ashka. These laws make me mad.

[daemon]

Sad news, ashka. Shame you didn't get to try Cannabis before they hacked your eye.

 

However, if there is anyone who would be granted compassion to use Cannabis, it's a case like yours.

 

Can you tell us what steps you've taken to get legal with you use?

[Tsigle]

Good on ya for sticking will MJ. And I hope no one forces you to try anything different to help your eyes, just tell them "don't fix what's not broken." If it works then why change?

[ashka]

Sad news, ashka. Shame you didn't get to try Cannabis before they hacked your eye.

 

However, if there is anyone who would be granted compassion to use Cannabis, it's a case like yours.

 

Can you tell us what steps you've taken to get legal with you use?

 

I have only asked verbally Daemon, but will now get into writing letters to appropriate people. There is a petition for medical cannabis that Mongyman has prepared for each state to download and get signatures for, please support this too.

[ConvexConepiece]

Hi ash.

 

While reading your thread I can't help but wonder:

 

Just what if anything would happen if you walked down to your local cop station and told them exactly what you've been saying here?

 

If possible take a doctor/lawyer/strong willed partner/etc with you and confess that while you respect the police, cannabis is the number one thing that keeps you safe and sane at night. Cause a real fuss so the whole department knows you.

 

I can't see why they'd arrest/charge you, but they could take a few stances/opinions on you: to not respect your up front honesty and treat you like any other cannabis smoker if they saw you (but hopefully not actively pursue you for doing it) ; or they could just think your a half batty cripple (no offense!) or a truly suffering human being (depending on how you come across ) and leave you the hell alone.

 

Either way I don't think they might verbailize the latter - however their tone of voice and body language should tell you whether or not they will turn a blind eye. At least if you confront them, you will know who they are and where they stand instead of cowering in fear at home.

 

Goodluck

Edited June 16, 2011 by ConvexConepiece

[ashka]

Thats what I said to my doctor and she warned me to be very careful who I approached as some police were either for or against it, a bit like the doctors I suppose.

 

You are right though as I have nothing to lose but this is also about a matter of principle too.

 

Cannabis was found to reduce intra-ocular pressure by accident from a police department investigation and not research from a medical team. So even though this amazing discovery was found it has been squashed by whom and for what reasons!!!!! Apparently it is well known in opthamology circles that cannabis reduces intra-ocular pressure.

 

Big Pharma has a lot to answer for!!!!!!!!!!!

[smashed1]

sounds like your been , good luck , i would'nt go wingeing at the coppers ever they dont give a shit ! about you / me they'll lock u up for waistying there time

 

you might be better trying to find a group allready involved in med pot ,

[darryl d]

In regards the glaucoma I would be writing to the Director General of Health W.A. with as much evidence as possible, with something in writing from and Opthamologist and ask for permission. grace has a thread here somewhere with a draft letter that is quite good. As a public servant they have to answer your correspondence so you will get a reply, I have one here from the DG of Qld Health.

 

The definition of unlawful; without authorisation, justification or excuse

In the very least it will put you in a better position in court should the police turn up, if you try hard enough you could be the person who breaks through this shitful law. Good luck

Edited June 25, 2011 by darryl d

[Samurai]

hey there

i dont have alot to add except ...listen to darryl d....

best of luck with it all ..and i hope you keep your vision..HM

[ashka]

In regards the glaucoma I would be writing to the Director General of Health W.A. with as much evidence as possible, with something in writing from and Opthamologist and ask for permission. grace has a thread here somewhere with a draft letter that is quite good. As a public servant they have to answer your correspondence so you will get a reply, I have one here from the DG of Qld Health.

 

The definition of unlawful; without authorisation, justification or excuse

In the very least it will put you in a better position in court should the police turn up, if you try hard enough you could be the person who breaks through this shitful law. Good luck

 

Thanks Darryl, yes I will write to the Director General of Health WA. My opthamologist prof in Perth who knows cannabis reduces IOP but can only see his knife as the answer (most likely because it pays well). Have had 3 others tell me to smoke up but not in writing as yet, working on that one. Am going to get involved with the disability association soon as they seem to have an interest in medical cannabis, just cant for the next 2 months due to signing a contract stating that I will not be involved in any controversial issue etc.

 

Dont have a grow happening which is why I don't mind being open and upfront. I suppose if and when I do then I will just go quite like all the other people who have to self medicate which is so wrong.

 

Big Pharm and the whole medical system of Australia would have to be the most corrupt of all departments but the love of money is the reason. Look at the options for cancer treatment, either chemo or radiation and thats it, what a primitive attitude.

 

Its about choice and freedom to choose what sort of treatment we want whether it be alternative or mainstream. Notice how Big Pharma are trying to cash in on the alternative market because they could not beat it and now they act as if they were behind it all along. They will do the same with cannabis too when they can make money out of it.

 

I have a copy of Grace's letter too, thanks.