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Patient
Who
Was
Denied
Liver
Transplant
For
Using
Medical
Marijuana
Dies
12/18/98
California NORML is sorry to
note the death of Ed Plotner, who was removed from a liver transplant list
for using medical marijuana. Plotner, who suffered multiple hepatitis
infections, had used marijuana to combat severe appetite and weight loss.
He was accepted but then dropped by a liver transplant program which demanded
that he pass a drug test for marijuana.
Unlike other drugs, including
cocaine, heroin, and alcohol,
marijuana is not a risk
factor for hepatitis. Even though many patients find medical marijuana
is useful -- not only for weight gain, but also for helping to avoid drugs
that are toxic to the liver -- it is banned in most transplant programs.
California NORML attorney
Eric Shevin attempted to get Plotner restored to the transplant list, but
his efforts proved too late. After being kept off the list a year, Ed expired
on November 21.
"Ed was a tragic victim of
drug testing abuse," says California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer.
"He was killed by the anti-marijuana bigotry and ignorance of medical 'experts'
who should have known better."
Ironically, Plotner, who
was from Redding, California, had sought treatment in San Francisco, where
voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana by 80%-20%.
-- END --
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Issue #71, 12/18/98
Diana McCague Sentenced for Syringe Exchange | Action Opportunity: Protest on Steps of New Jersey Statehouse | Bills Seeking to Decriminalize Marijuana, Legalize Medical Marijuana and Legalize Hemp Cultivation to be Introduced in New Hampshire Legislature in 1999 | Patient Who Was Denied Liver Transplant For Using Medical Marijuana Dies | Media Spotlight: Drug Smuggling by US Marines a Growing Problem | Editorial: Unrighteous Indignation
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