cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana User Speaks About Treatment Medical Marijuana User Speaks About Treatment Posted by CN Staff on April 22, 2003 at 07:06:59 PT By Eddie Yang, Kansan Staff Writer Source: Daily Kansan A day following April 20, or 4-20, a number associated with marijuana use, George McMahon spoke on campus about his involvement with medical marijuana. McMahon is one of only five patients left in the nation who who have been approved to use marijuana legally through a little-known Food and Drug Administration program called Investigational New Drug. McMahon was the recipient of the National Certificate of Heroism for his participation in the President´s Drug Awareness Program signed by Nancy Reagan in 1990. He receives 300 marijuana cigarettes a month at no cost from the government. “When my marijuana is good I can ride my bicycle. All thank you to Uncle Sam.” said McMahon as he showed his government-issued marijuana to the audience. McMahon uses the marijuana to treat his rare genetic disorder, Nail Patella Syndrome, which causes bone deformities, immune system dysfunction and renal failure. Throughout his life McMahon has gone through 19 major surgeries and has been prescribed morphine, Demerol, Valium, codeine and other medications to deal with his illness. “By the age of 14 I was addicted to prescribed morphine,” McMahon said. “When I started smoking I noticed improvement in my condition. The only side effects would be that I would get the munchies, which is good — otherwise I´ll lose a lot of weight.” A crowd of about 75 people listened to the presentation at 7 yesterday night at room 303 in Strong Hall. The presentation, which included videos about the governmental program, was sponsored by the KU Students for a Sensible Drug Policy. With his involvement with the FDA, McMahon is allowed to smoke legally in every state. He said he didn´t run into problems with law enforcement officials. “The law enforcement officials are actually quite encouraging,” McMahon said. McMahon almost had to deal with the KU Public Safety Office when they learned of his upcoming speech at a University Events meeting last week. “We are not prohibiting anyone from coming to speak on campus,” said Lt. Schuyler Bailey from the KU Public Safety Office last Friday. “We just want written proof that he is allowed to possess or smoke marijuana legally.” Chase Cookson, Wichita junior and president of KU Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, said that it was difficult to provide proof. Cookson said that he had talked to someone at the Drug Enforcement Administration who acknowledged McMahon´s involvement with the program. Cookson then got on the Internet and spread word of the situation. “We had the national chapter align all the organizations and the ACLU was very interested in it and hiring a lawyer was mentioned,” Cookson said. “Within five hours word got out and people from all over the country began giving Lt. Bailey a call.” Cookson said the KU Public Safety Office decided Friday night that the speech would go on as scheduled and would accept documentation upon McMahon´s arrival. “This man has spoken on national television and universities all across the country,” Cookson said. “It irks me that they were treating this man like a criminal.” Willy Madel, Lawrence sophomore, was glad the KU Public Safety Office allowed him to come. “I think its great,” Madel said. “We need more people like him to tell the other side.” Edited by Andrew Ward Source: University Daily Kansan, The (Lawrence, KS Edu)Author: Eddie Yang, Kansan Staff Writer Published: Tuesday, April 22, 2003Copyright: 2003 The University Daily KansanContact: editor kansan.comWebsite: http://www.kansan.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:SSDPhttp://www.ssdp.org/Kansas NORMLhttp://www.ksnorml.org/George McMahon's Home Pagehttp://www.trvnet.net/~mmcmahon/ Medical Marijuana Patient To Visit KU http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16009.shtmlKind Bud - Village Voicehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10156.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment