Mass. General Trial Uses Marijuana-Based Medicine To Reduce Seizures

BOSTON (CBS) – It could be the first-ever drug made from part of a marijuana plant approved by the federal government and one family here in Massachusetts says it’s already making a huge difference in their lives. Emma Newcomer tightly holds on to a few pieces of laminated paper, covered in square photos. These photos are how she talks to the world. By pointing at the different pictures, she communicates if she’s hungry or wants to play. The 13-year-old has a severe form of epilepsy. She can suffer up to 100 seizures a day. Emma Newcomer, 13, right, who has epilepsy, is benefiting from taking a marijuana-based drug, her family said. (WBZ-TV) Her dad, Anders, said the family never knows what’s going to happen. “Knowing that the seizures that she has can be life-threatening, at any time, really it’s scary,” he said. The family had tried almost everything to cut down on the frequency of the seizures. “You name it and we tried it,” said Emma’s mom, Jennifer. Then the Newcomers joined an experimental drug trial at Massachusetts General Hospital. “She’s not seizure-free, but she is so much better,” said Anders Newcomer. “We’ve been so lucky this CBD oil has really helped. I can’t say enough.” Jennifer Newcomer said: “It just greatly improved the quality of life for her, for the whole family.” The CBD oil Emma now takes twice a day is a chemical purified from marijuana. ̶...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Health Healthwatch Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Dr. Mallika Marshall Source Type: news