Ministry approves marijuana for 14-year-old cancer patient

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Ministry approves marijuana for 14-year-old cancer patient

_http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137032.html_

(http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137032.html)

 

Ministry approves marijuana for 14-year-old cancer patient

By Dan Even

 

 

A 14-year-old girl with hematological cancer may receive marijuana, the

Health Ministry decided.

 

 

The girl has been receiving treatment at a pediatric oncology clinic at

Rambam Medical Center in Haifa for several months, and is suffering from the

side effects of intensive chemotherapy, including pain and loss of

appetite.

 

 

Her doctors recommended marijuana to treat these problems

 

 

The Health Ministry approved the request last week, and she began

receiving marijuana joints on Friday.

 

 

The hospital said that although smoking by children is problematic, the

joints have improved her condition.

 

 

Ayelet Ben Barak, a senior physician in the department treating the teen,

said, " Because of the problematic nature of smoking at these ages, we are

looking into administrating the marijuana by other means. "

 

 

An 88-year-old woman with chronic pain has asked to receive marijuana

cookies.

 

 

About 800 patients in Israel currently receive medicinal marijuana. Fewer

than 10 are under age 18.