Medical marijuana user who was denied liver transplant dies

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Medical

marijuana user who was denied liver transplant dies

4 hours ago

SEATTLE (AP) — A

man who was denied a liver transplant because he used marijuana with medical

approval to ease the symptoms of hepatitis C has died.

Garon, 56, died

Thursday at -Boushay House, an intensive care nursing center, said his

lawyer, Hiatt, and Alisha Mark, a spokeswoman for Virginia Mason

Medical Center, which operates -Boushay.

His death came a week

after his doctor told him a University of Washington Medical Center committee had

again denied him a spot on the liver transplant list because of his use of

marijuana, although it was authorized under Washington state law.

The case highlights an

ethical consideration for those allocating organs for transplant: whether using

dope with a doctor's blessing should be held against a dying patient in need of

a transplant.

The Virginia-based

United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees the nation's transplant

system, leaves it to individual hospitals to develop criteria for transplant

candidates.

At some, people who use

" illicit substances " — including medical marijuana, even in the

dozen states that allow it — are automatically rejected. At others,

patients are given a chance to reapply if they stay clean for six months. Marijuana

is illegal under federal law.

Dr. Brad Roter, who

authorized Garon to smoke pot to alleviate nausea and abdominal pain and to

stimulate his appetite, said he did not know it would be such a hurdle if Garon

were to need a transplant.

Garon told The Associated

Press last week he believed he contracted hepatitis C by sharing needles with

" speed freaks " as a teenager. In recent years, he said, pot was been

the only drug he used.

[Guest guest]

This is really really wrong... wrote: Medical marijuana user who was denied liver transplant dies 4 hours ago SEATTLE (AP) — A man who was denied a liver transplant because he used marijuana with medical approval to ease the symptoms of hepatitis C has died. Garon, 56, died Thursday at -Boushay House, an intensive care nursing center, said his lawyer, Hiatt, and Alisha Mark, a spokeswoman for Virginia Mason Medical Center, which operates -Boushay. His death came a week after his doctor told him a University of Washington Medical Center committee had again denied him a spot on

the liver transplant list because of his use of marijuana, although it was authorized under Washington state law. The case highlights an ethical consideration for those allocating organs for transplant: whether using dope with a doctor's blessing should be held against a dying patient in need of a transplant. The Virginia-based United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees the nation's transplant system, leaves it to individual hospitals to develop criteria for transplant candidates. At some, people who use "illicit

substances" — including medical marijuana, even in the dozen states that allow it — are automatically rejected. At others, patients are given a chance to reapply if they stay clean for six months. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. Dr. Brad Roter, who authorized Garon to smoke pot to alleviate nausea and abdominal pain and to stimulate his appetite, said he did not know it would be such a hurdle if Garon were to need a transplant. Garon told The Associated Press last week he believed he contracted hepatitis C by sharing needles with "speed freaks" as a teenager. In recent years, he said, pot was been the only drug he used. Jackie

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I was stunned, as well, and seems they will forever be pointing fingers. None of us are second class citizens, or deserve any less care than anyone else.. It needed to be told, but it is truly sickening.. Sheena Jackie on wrote: This is really really wrong... <michaelboxernest (DOT) net> wrote: Medical marijuana user who was denied liver transplant dies 4 hours ago SEATTLE (AP) — A man who was denied a liver transplant because he used marijuana with medical

approval to ease the symptoms of hepatitis C has died. Garon, 56, died Thursday at -Boushay House, an intensive care nursing center, said his lawyer, Hiatt, and Alisha Mark, a spokeswoman for Virginia Mason Medical Center, which operates -Boushay. His death came a week after his doctor told him a University of Washington Medical Center committee had again denied him a spot on the liver transplant list because of his use of marijuana, although it was authorized under Washington state law. The case highlights an ethical consideration for those allocating organs

for transplant: whether using dope with a doctor's blessing should be held against a dying patient in need of a transplant. The Virginia-based United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees the nation's transplant system, leaves it to individual hospitals to develop criteria for transplant candidates. At some, people who use "illicit substances" — including medical marijuana, even in the dozen states that allow it — are automatically rejected. At others, patients are given a chance to reapply if they stay clean for six months. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. Dr. Brad Roter, who

authorized Garon to smoke pot to alleviate nausea and abdominal pain and to stimulate his appetite, said he did not know it would be such a hurdle if Garon were to need a transplant. Garon told The Associated Press last week he believed he contracted hepatitis C by sharing needles with "speed freaks" as a teenager. In recent years, he said, pot was been the only drug he used. Jackie

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[Guest guest]

That is indeed sad. Love Janet wrote: Medical marijuana user who was denied liver transplant dies 4 hours ago SEATTLE (AP) — A man who was denied a liver transplant because he used marijuana with medical approval to ease the symptoms of hepatitis C has died. Garon, 56, died Thursday at -Boushay House, an intensive care nursing center, said his lawyer, Hiatt, and Alisha Mark, a spokeswoman for Virginia Mason Medical Center, which operates -Boushay. His death came a week after his doctor told him a University of Washington Medical Center committee had again denied him a spot

on the liver transplant list because of his use of marijuana, although it was authorized under Washington state law. The case highlights an ethical consideration for those allocating organs for transplant: whether using dope with a doctor's blessing should be held against a dying patient in need of a transplant. The Virginia-based United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees the nation's transplant system, leaves it to individual hospitals to develop criteria for transplant candidates. At some, people who use "illicit substances" — including medical marijuana, even in the dozen

states that allow it — are automatically rejected. At others, patients are given a chance to reapply if they stay clean for six months. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. Dr. Brad Roter, who authorized Garon to smoke pot to alleviate nausea and abdominal pain and to stimulate his appetite, said he did not know it would be such a hurdle if Garon were to need a transplant. Garon told The Associated Press last week he believed he contracted hepatitis C by sharing needles with "speed freaks" as a teenager. In recent years, he said, pot was been the only drug he used. "There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they

go" Frederick Faber

[Guest guest]

That is indeed sad. Love Janet wrote: Medical marijuana user who was denied liver transplant dies 4 hours ago SEATTLE (AP) — A man who was denied a liver transplant because he used marijuana with medical approval to ease the symptoms of hepatitis C has died. Garon, 56, died Thursday at -Boushay House, an intensive care nursing center, said his lawyer, Hiatt, and Alisha Mark, a spokeswoman for Virginia Mason Medical Center, which operates -Boushay. His death came a week after his doctor told him a University of Washington Medical Center committee had again denied him a spot

on the liver transplant list because of his use of marijuana, although it was authorized under Washington state law. The case highlights an ethical consideration for those allocating organs for transplant: whether using dope with a doctor's blessing should be held against a dying patient in need of a transplant. The Virginia-based United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees the nation's transplant system, leaves it to individual hospitals to develop criteria for transplant candidates. At some, people who use "illicit substances" — including medical marijuana, even in the dozen

states that allow it — are automatically rejected. At others, patients are given a chance to reapply if they stay clean for six months. Marijuana is illegal under federal law. Dr. Brad Roter, who authorized Garon to smoke pot to alleviate nausea and abdominal pain and to stimulate his appetite, said he did not know it would be such a hurdle if Garon were to need a transplant. Garon told The Associated Press last week he believed he contracted hepatitis C by sharing needles with "speed freaks" as a teenager. In recent years, he said, pot was been the only drug he used. "There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they

go" Frederick Faber

[Guest guest]

When I think of the many drugs used for patients who are awaiting transplants for various reasons, it is ridiculous that marijuana should be singled out. I only smoked it twice (didn't like it), but my drug of choice (opiates) is used constantly on patients. If all patients using drugs could not have transplants---then there wouldn't be many transplants. Actually, I've not heard of anyone who got Hep C from marijuana use or any studies concerning the effect of marijuana on the liver. It is a sad commentary on the mentality of those who are allowed to make life and death decisions for others. Maybe there will be some sort of investigation, but it is too late for this man. Off the subject--sort of--I do not understand what all these tests mean. Maybe my MD's think like the board because I do not get any reaction from my doctors concerning my Hep C. Just some casual remark like --"Your enzymes are only slightly

elevated. Come back in a year." Granted I am older than most, 74 this summer and used during the 60's, but it is another sort of prejudice--against age. So--have a nice day everyone. susan

Quinn

In the swamp in secluded recesses, a shy and hidden bird is warbling a song. Walt Whitman

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[Guest guest]

When I think of the many drugs used for patients who are awaiting transplants for various reasons, it is ridiculous that marijuana should be singled out. I only smoked it twice (didn't like it), but my drug of choice (opiates) is used constantly on patients. If all patients using drugs could not have transplants---then there wouldn't be many transplants. Actually, I've not heard of anyone who got Hep C from marijuana use or any studies concerning the effect of marijuana on the liver. It is a sad commentary on the mentality of those who are allowed to make life and death decisions for others. Maybe there will be some sort of investigation, but it is too late for this man. Off the subject--sort of--I do not understand what all these tests mean. Maybe my MD's think like the board because I do not get any reaction from my doctors concerning my Hep C. Just some casual remark like --"Your enzymes are only slightly

elevated. Come back in a year." Granted I am older than most, 74 this summer and used during the 60's, but it is another sort of prejudice--against age. So--have a nice day everyone. susan

Quinn

In the swamp in secluded recesses, a shy and hidden bird is warbling a song. Walt Whitman

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

I agree Suzi.. I remember when my insurance company told my doc to give me iron for my anemia when I was on tx.. My ferritin level was 717 which had he given me iron, it would have killed my chances of every reaching SVR as well as probably would have killed me too... my doc made the comment that it was "Some person with an 8th grade education telling the doc how and with what he could treat his patients",,, grrrrSuzi Q wrote: When I think of the many drugs used for patients who are awaiting transplants for various

reasons, it is ridiculous that marijuana should be singled out. I only smoked it twice (didn't like it), but my drug of choice (opiates) is used constantly on patients. If all patients using drugs could not have transplants---then there wouldn't be many transplants. Actually, I've not heard of anyone who got Hep C from marijuana use or any studies concerning the effect of marijuana on the liver. It is a sad commentary on the mentality of those who are allowed to make life and death decisions for others. Maybe there will be some sort of investigation, but it is too late for this man. Off the subject--sort of--I do not understand what all these tests mean. Maybe my MD's think like the board because I do not get any reaction from my doctors concerning my Hep C. Just some casual remark like --"Your enzymes are only slightly elevated. Come back in a year." Granted I am older than most, 74 this summer and used

during the 60's, but it is another sort of prejudice--against age. So--have a nice day everyone. susan Quinn In the swamp in secluded recesses, a shy and hidden bird is warbling a song. Walt Whitman Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Jackie