Approval for cannabis treatment on ‘compassionate grounds’

OneNews 9 June 2015
A Nelson teenager in an induced coma has been granted the one-off use of cannabis treatment to help his condition after the Government approved the drug on “compassionate grounds”.

Today, Associate Minister of Health Hon Peter Dunne granted the use of Elixinol, a cannabidiol (CBD) product from the United States, to be administered by doctors treating Alex Renton in Wellington Hospital.

The 19-year-old has been in the hospital’s intensive care unit since April with a condition causing him to suffer repeated seizures.

The Capital and Coast District Health Board asked the Ministry of Health to approve the use of medical marijuana after all other treatment options had failed.

Mr Dunne said he has “considerable sympathy” for the parents of Mr Renton who face an incredibly difficult situation.

“Despite the absence of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of CBD in patients with Mr Renton’s condition status epilepticus, my decision relies on the dire circumstances and extreme severity of Mr Renton’s individual case,” he said.

“Understandably they want to do the best for their son, and they believe that this option is worth trying.”
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/seizure-plagued-teen-in-coma-approved-cannabis-treatment-compassionate-grounds-6334800