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STATES OF JERSEY
CANNABIS: POSSESSION OF CANNABIS FOR TREATMENT PURPOSES – PETITION
Lodged au Greffe on 16th July 2014 by Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade
STATES GREFFE
2014 Price code: A P.128
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
to request the Minister for Health and Social Services to issue a licence to Ms. Evelyn Mary Rose Volante for the possession of cannabis for the treatment and relief of her pain and other symptoms in accordance with the Minister's discretionary powers under the Misuse of Drugs (General Provisions) (Jersey) Order 2009.
DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
REPORT
I first met Evelyn earlier this year through a friend who was assisting with her case. I was particularly moved by her story and continuing battle, which have been documented by the local blogger and can be watched by following the link below.[1]
Evelyn's symptoms are chronic and complex. They are listed in the prayer of her Petition; however, they include nausea, vomiting, spasms and poor intake of foods and fluids, loss of appetite and severe loss of weight.
Evelyn has been prescribed cannabinoids in the past, in the form of Sativex – however, this is costly and due to the highly reduced nature of her digestive tract (one of the main reasons for her severe weight loss), she is unable to absorb Sativex sufficiently in order for it to work effectively.
It is for this reason that she is requesting, as I am with this accompanying proposition, that the Minister for Health and Social Services grant her a licence for the possession of cannabis for the treatment and relief of her pain and other symptoms in accordance with the Minister's discretionary powers under Article 12(4) of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978.
Lastly, I would invite any member to take the opportunity to meet with Evelyn – and indeed the other Petitioners – so as to better understand the difficulties they face and the genuine and urgent nature of their petitions.
Financial and manpower implications
There are no anticipated financial or manpower implications for the States if this proposition is adopted.
APPENDIX
PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE STATES OF JERSEY | ||
Name of person(s) or body responsible for this petition – Evelyn Mary Rose Volante | ||
These are the reasons for this petition – The Petitioner was born in 1971 and is the single mother of 3 growing-up children. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1998 and has experienced extensive, life- threatening surgery, including a colectomy and an ileostomy. Doctors describe her medical history as very complex, and she is unfit for work. Over the years, the Petitioner has been frequently admitted to hospitals in Jersey and the UK for many and diverse surgical or medical treatments and exploratory procedures. Throughout this time, the Petitioner has experienced a great deal of discomfort, such as recurring nausea, vomiting, spasms and poor intake of foods and fluids, loss of appetite, severe loss of weight, etc.; but most of all, chronic, severe pain which cannot be relieved by so called "conventional" medicines or treatments. | ||
We, the undersigned, petition the States of Jersey as follows – The Minister for Health and Social Services is requested to issue a licence to the Petitioner for the possession of cannabis for the treatment and relief of her pain and other symptoms in accordance with the Minister's discretionary powers under Article 12(4) of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978. The States is asked to consider, inter alia, that the relief of the Petitioner's pain and other symptoms by the use of cannabis has been demonstrated to the Petitioner and her medical advisers – but that it cannot be legally prescribed in Jersey without the Minister agreeing to licence its use for such a "special purpose". | ||
Full name (please print) | Full postal address | Signature |
Evelyn Mary Rose Volante | (address redacted) | (signed) |
Number of signatures: 1