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'Its like getting to know a new part of our daughter': Cannabis bill passes first stage

People with debilitating diseases and injuries can have their chronic pain soothed through the use of a mix of cannabis medications.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

LEGALISING CANNABIS FOR medicinal purposes is a step closer today as activists for the bill have told how life-changing it would be for it to become law.

People across the country suffering with debilitating diseases and injuries can have their chronic pain soothed through the use of a mix of cannabis medications.

Minister for Health Simon Harris said he would not block the bill proposed by AAA-PBP TD Gino Kenny and Harris said he wants the policy to be removed.

However, despite the bill’s passing, it is expected to take a number of months before it could potentially become law.

This is an issue for Vera Twomey, whose daughter Ava has a very rare form of epilepsy called Dravet’s syndrome.

Vera Twomey / Facebook Vera Twomey / Facebook / Facebook

Since taking the cannabis oil, Ava’s seizures have reduced dramatically and her mother said the young girl has seen her life change in so many ways.

She told TheJournal.ie: We are really excited and looking forward to the bill tonight. Hopefully they’ll take on board the amount of information out there. This would mean a complete and utter change to everything that has happened to our family in the last six years.

My daughter’s life has been controlled by seizures. She has battled ever single day to keep ahead of the seizures.

“Since we began  the CDB oil in October, her seizures have reduced. She’s ahppy, smiling more, sleeping better. Teachers in her school say she’s more engaged with other students.

Its like getting to know a new part of our daughter we didn’t know was there

Twomey’s concerns have been echoed by Claire Mitchell, who has Multiple Sclerosis, a degenerative neurological condition which causes stiffness and pain in many patients.

She said that time is of the essence because, although she doesn’t suffer with serious pain, there are thousands across the country whose agony can be relieved the moment the bill is passed.

Mitchell said: “CBD hugely helps me for my muscle stiffness and other. At the end of the day, I want to be able to buy it legally. I hope the bill goes through as soon as possible. But you know yourself, I’ll keep the fingers crossed. I’m hopeful because there’s been so much discussion.

Read: Gardaí investigate alleged sexual assault on teenage boy in Dublin school >

Read: Almost 20% of Irish people can’t afford to meet friends for a drink or meal >

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23 Comments
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    Mute Sean Lynch
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 6:38 AM

    Great news apart from the infuriating typos

    137
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    Mute Shano
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 6:45 AM

    Don’t worry, be ahppy

    120
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    Mute Bobby Phelan
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 12:31 PM

    its time we started looking into thc as well and full legalization for all

    17
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    Mute Tony Gordon
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 6:37 AM

    Ava, cute as a button.

    How could anyone prevent a medicine that helps a child. Anyone who does is. It fit to hold office.

    115
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    Mute Garren Bellew
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 7:22 AM

    Where did the mother start walking from and where was she going to? I need to know.

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    Mute Paddy O'Brien
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 8:12 AM

    She left her house in Cork to walk to Leinster House a couple of months back. Gathered quite a bit of a group with her and a lot of online supporters, people offering to cover the cost of her food, put her up in hotels along the way etc. Simon Harris got hold of her a short while into her journey and agreed to meet and I think it has gone from there.

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    Mute Garren Bellew
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 8:20 AM

    Thanks Paddy. That’s a beautiful part of the story and truly deserves an edit to get it mentioned. Pretty shoddy proof reading, unfortunately.

    55
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    Mute Upowthat Burke
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 8:33 AM

    WHY IS CANNIBIS ILLEGAL ??? WHY IS WHISKY LEGAL ????

    52
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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 9:31 AM

    I can’t believe that in the 21st century we’re still believing the whole “Reefer Madness” scam! Medicinal marijuana is no more a gateway drug than paracetamol.

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    Mute Kevin Slater
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 1:43 PM

    And the regular stuff is no harm at all. Saying its “illegal” doesn’t make it dangerous. It isn’t dangerous.
    But to free the weed you would need to re- educate people away from Reefer Madness

    10
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    Mute Paddy O'Brien
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 8:10 AM

    Your editing is getting out of hand. There’d a sentence halfway down that refers to Ava’s mother Vera as having “walked from…” and just stops there. Doesnt say from where to where it just stops. Ahppy Friday to you Journal.ie, to use one of your typos from the above article.

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    Mute Paddy O'Brien
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 8:13 AM

    I am aware of the irony of my own typos ha ha. Poetic justice

    26
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    Mute Upowthat Burke
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 8:36 AM

    WHISKY A TOXIC POISON CANNIBIS HARMLESS PLANT WHY IS OUR ACCESS TO CANNIBIS BLOCKED AND PEPOLE PERSECUTED FOR USE IT

    30
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    Mute Ger
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 7:10 AM

    She keeps raiding the cupboards at midnight looking for Farleys Rusks

    25
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    Mute Sarah doyle
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 10:52 AM

    Great news!! My son has severe epilepsy that is not controlled by medication.He had an operation in 2012 which didnt work either. This gives us a bit of hope.It will be worth a try!

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 11:27 AM

    Well done to Ava’s family & supporters for not giving up!

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    Mute Upowthat Burke
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 9:01 AM

    WHISKY CAN MAKES MANY PEOPLE VIOLENT..FIRE WATER CANNIBIS MAKES ONE CALM AND VERY HAPPY WHISKY MAKES ONE LOUD AND ARGUMENTIVE CANNIBIS RELAXES ONE WHISKY HAS ENABLED MURDER CANNIBIS ENABLES LOVE AND HARMANY YOU CAN HAVE A WAREHOUSE FULL OF WHISKY YOU CANNOT HAVE ANY. CANNISIS NOT A TRACE WAKE UP ….WAKE UP the cat is out of the bag

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 9:27 AM

    STOP SHOUTING, GOBDAW.

    21
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    Mute stu pid
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 9:54 AM

    Think u need a splif, or a whiskey!

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    Mute Upowthat Burke
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 7:45 AM

    To garan.ftom her home near macroom

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    Mute Marie Gunbay
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 10:28 AM

    Nice one ! some good news for a change.

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    Mute Kevin Slater
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 1:44 PM

    420

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    Mute Upowthat Burke
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    Dec 2nd 2016, 7:46 AM

    Garan dublin

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