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DrugScreening.org


 
Medical Marijuana Transplant Patient Dies
May 5, 2008

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News Summary

A medical-marijuana user who was denied a liver transplant because of his use of the drug has died, the Associated Press reported May 2.

The University of Washington Medical Center recently told Timothy Garon, 56, that he would not be placed on its liver-transplant list because of his marijuana use; hospital officials said they would reconsider if Garon completed a 60-day addiction-treatment class. Garon, whose liver had been damaged by Hepatitis C -- a byproduct of injection-drug use in his youth -- died last Thursday.

Garon had received permission from a physician to use medical marijuana to stimulate his appetite and relieve nausea and pain. His doctor, Brad Roter, said he didn't realize that authorizing Garon to use the drug would prevent him from getting a transplant.

Some hospitals bar all users of illicit drugs from their transplant lists, while others allow those who are in sustained recovery to get on the list for a new organ.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by tlcman on 22 Jun 08 05:03 PM EDT
We need more testing done on the effects of this Medical Marijuana, and realize it helps more then it harms. some good things about Medical Marijuana, its a good thing taking less pills and theres no chance of Over dosing on this drug at most maybe a headache. also Medical Marijuana, keeps the person calm not violent. legalize it and create new tax revenue

Posted by John from Oceanside on 21 May 08 10:38 AM EDT
This guy choosing smoke weed and not get the transplant is on the Medical Marijuana advocates and the quack doctor who makes his living selling medical marijuana excuses. A doctor treating a liver transplant patient not knowing the protocal, give me a break. The family should sue him.

Posted by Eileen on 12 May 08 08:24 PM EDT
Donated organs are in short supply. That's why the recipient's health (mental and physical) must be taken into consideration. There are other drugs besides marijuana, prednisone for example, which are often prescribed help pre-transplant patients gain weight and increase energy. I know that prednisone is has its own problems but at least we know what the dose is and it can be adjusted, as needed, quite precisely. Mr. Garon's physician should have known that.

Posted by Heart Recipient on 12 May 08 08:07 PM EDT
I would like to know from the people that think this is discriminatory, how they would decide who got organs and who didn't? There are 100,000 people waiting for an organ and only about 77 done each day in the U.S. How would you choose?

Posted by kitty on 12 May 08 02:18 PM EDT
Whether the doc knew or not the client was given a chance to get off the marijuana complete treatment. That should give he and the MD an indication that the transplant process was effected by marijuana use and that there was a way out. And it seems to me we are forgetting that marijuana is not by prescription and is not dose specific like other drugs. Marinol is dose specific and now there is another active ingredient from marijuana available. I don't see people knocking down doors to use either one. Instead they choose to smoke (to the detriment of their health)marijuana, an illegal drug. My experience with card holders is that they began using marijuana early in their teens through their now "necessary" need. I believe they have just come up with a doctor's backed excuse to use their drug of choice.

Posted by paying attention on 12 May 08 01:18 PM EDT
to Heart Recipient: So they discriminate against the mentally ill, too?

Posted by Heart Recipient on 12 May 08 12:54 PM EDT
If "paying attention" read The Facts, you would know that receiving an organ also requires a psychological evaluation - so no, Hitler would not get an organ! There are several requirements to getting an organ, being healthy and sane are just two.

Posted by paying attention on 12 May 08 12:40 PM EDT
I wonder if the hospitals realize that their standards would award a liver to Hitler (basically a teetotaler) rather than Churchill (big drinker).

Posted by Linda Couch on 12 May 08 12:36 PM EDT
I am a heart transplant recipient and I TOTALLY AGREE with the hospital!!! Organ transplantation is a privilege, not a right! When we take care of our bodies and show respect for our lives, then we get another chance. There are too many people waiting for organs that will never get one because of the short supply. Why would we give a healthy organ to someone that will just destroy it, and let other healthy people who do exactly what they need to do for their health- die? If all of you people that object to this selective process will become organ donors, maybe you can help save a life. One person who donates their organs can save up to 50 lives. For more information, please read the facts here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organ-donation/FL00077

Posted by swimlessons62 on 12 May 08 11:50 AM EDT
The problem with this is that they guy's own physician did not know the protocol. Besides which, wealth and privilege still play a huge role in organ donation (Remember Mickey Mantle?).

Posted by TS on 12 May 08 09:48 AM EDT
Hold on just one minute... Doctors have a responsibility to make sure that donated organs go to the best possible patient; meaning, a "host" environment where there is the highest likelihood that the organ is not going to waste. They turn down alcoholics for the same reason, and I for one am glad. Why give a new liver to someone who's likely to destroy it, while someone who lives healthy and takes care of his/her body would have to wait longer? Sorry, but in transplant cases, the doctors do have to "play God" a bit by deciding who is most deserving.

Posted by Frances Ritter on 06 May 08 12:18 PM EDT
I just watched Michael Moore's movie "Sicko." This is not an isolated incident. I suggest that everyone who is interested in change and what is going on in our country watch this movie. Sadly, our medical system has become criminal and yet this does not appear to be true in other "civilized" nations.

Posted by UncleB on 06 May 08 09:59 AM EDT
I had assumed that hospitals were to preserve life and now at least one is playing God. I am filled with dispare at this outrage. Is there no one else? Can't we stop these killers from further harm?

Posted by SorrowBrow on 05 May 08 06:00 PM EDT
I guess if the gov't and/or institution won't except MMJ as a legit medicine they can kill you for using it, legally. Finally a way they can prove marijuana can kill you. They scored one for their side! This is absurd!

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