US patients apply for Canadian Sativex

This just in from Americans for Safe Access.

Julie Falco, an MS sufferer who benefits from the medicinal use of marijuana, and her doctor, Dr Anthony Reder, are applying for access to a Canadian-approved medication, Sativex (r), a natural marijuana extract that was developed by GW Pharmaceuticals from specially-bred marijuana plants. Sativex(r) is similar to the tinctures that were sold in the US before 1937 and the process is comparable to products made by patients and their caregivers in states with medical marijuana laws.
"Patients in states that don't have laws allowing the medical use of marijuana need access to a safe and legal form of natural cannabis.

Access to Sativex(r) will provide the pain relief I need without the threat of incarceration that hangs over all us all, " said Julie Falco, whose doctor has applied for Sativex(r) on her behalf. "Illinois passed legislation to create a medical marijuana program under the Cannabis Control Act of 1971, but the current Act only allows the State to act, instead of requiring it to do so. IDEAL Reform is working to amend the Illinois' Cannabis Control Act to mandate that the state implement the program, something that has not happened in the 32 years since the inception of the law.

ASA will be working with other patients and their doctors in completing the application process to make Sativex available to those in need of the medication. While I'm still leery of allowing the pharmas to take over medical marijuana and I hate to see Andrea Barthwell's life made any easier, it's a welcome development for the chronically ill in the US.

[hat tip to Michael Krawitz]