Sir, - I read with interest and dismay the article about Paddy Doyle's request for marijuana as a relief for dystonia (June 21st). Like Paddy I suffer from dystonia although a different type - laryngeal dystonia.vocal folds leading to spasms. This gives the sufferer a strained, strangled, effortful voice quality. Sufferers must then exert enormous physical effort to push air through the vocal cords in order to produce sound.
Before I was treated with BOTOX I, like Paddy, found that having a few drinks reduced spasms and voice strain. If alcohol can have such an effect, I have no doubt marijuana could have a similar beneficial effect. A synthetic cannabinoid naboline is known to have a similar effect in M.S. sufferers but, on the legal front, it is not licensed for the treatment of dystonia or M.S.
I find it incredible that Mr Noonan did not even contact the consultant in question to find out more information about the condition - idiopathic torsion dystonia. On compassionate grounds Paddy should be allowed to try marijuana under supervised medical conditions. Isn't it time that the beneficial effects of marijuana are investigated from a medical point of view, and the law changed if it is found to be of benefit. Why should sufferers, like Paddy, have to hunt the streets to look for the prohibited drug to relieve their ravaged bodies of these involuntary spasms? - Yours, etc.,
Ennis,
Co. Clare.