Adelaide Man Grows Cannabis to Treat Epilepsy Due to Cost of Medicinal CBD Oil
An Adelaide man has resorted to growing his own cannabis in order to make cannabidiol (CBD) oil to treat his epilepsy. Graham Law told the Joint Committee on the Legalisation of Medicinal Cannabis that buying the required dosage of CBD oil was too expensive, leading him to cultivate his own plants. Law, who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy that involves heart stoppages during seizures, explained that traditional prescription medication was ineffective in treating his condition. After researching cannabis-based medicine and discussing it with his neurologist, Law decided to take matters into his own hands.
Law has been consuming 500 milligrams per day of CBD oil made from cannabis strains without the psychoactive THC component. This dosage is approximately 12 times higher than the average daily dose for a medicinal cannabis patient. Although the CBD oil didn’t completely eliminate Law’s seizures, it reduced their frequency and prevented his heart from stopping during an episode. However, purchasing the required dosage through a prescription would cost Law $190 for a 1000 milligram bottle, totaling $2850 per month. Considering that he receives a disability pension of only $2000 per month, the cost was simply unaffordable.
Consequently, Law was forced to resort to producing his own CBD oil, a process that involved growing cannabis plants at home. This decision placed him on the wrong side of the law, leading to police raids on his home and confiscation of his oil, plants, and manufacturing equipment. Understandably, Law felt that breaking the law to save his life was a necessary choice. While speaking to the Joint Committee, Law highlighted the issue of affordability, explaining that many individuals who require medicinal cannabis are pushed into the black market due to the high costs. These patients should be viewed as individuals in need of help, not criminals, he argued.
Law’s testimony has sparked discussions about potential solutions to the affordability problem. One proposal suggested the implementation of a licensing regime that would allow at-home production of CBD oil for those who cannot afford the prescribed product. Law deemed this proposal reasonable, emphasizing that the process is relatively simple and could be taught through basic training courses. However, Law stressed that he would cease growing cannabis if prescription versions of CBD oil became cheaper or entirely free. The growing process is time-consuming and arduous, taking eight months to complete from seed to final product.
Due to a recent police raid, Law is currently without his CBD oil, and as a result, his seizure rate has significantly increased. His testimony has shed light on the urgent need to find compassionate solutions and amnesty for patients who require this medicine but struggle with its affordability. The Joint Committee plans to release interim recommendations on the matter early next year.
The case of Graham Law has brought attention to the exorbitant prices of medicinal cannabis and the resulting reliance on the black market. As the debate continues, it is clear that a balanced and compassionate approach is necessary to ensure that patients have access to the medication they need without resorting to illegal means.
