The law's a dope on medicinal grass
By: Saffron Howden, Northern Star (Austrailia), 04-30-09

SITA von WINDHEIM has been self-medicating with cannabis for 40 years.

Since mid-last year, she has been able to do this legally, using a medical cannabis card.

The 53-year-old Canadian is coming to Nimbin this weekend for MardiGrass to explain to others why marijuana has helped her manage the severe pain that has afflicted her for most of her life.

Medical marijuana use, she argues, should be legalised in Australia.

“I suffer severe migraines from multiple sources,” Ms von Windheim told The Northern Star from her home in Canada.

“I have multiple pain issues, as well as extreme drug and even herbal and coffee sensitivities, and to a lot of foods and medications,” she said.

“I only discovered eight years ago that my cannabis use was reducing the amount of medication I needed.”

Ms von Windheim's neurologist signs a form allowing her to access, possess and use marijuana legally.

The mother of three said she was living proof cannabis causes no long-term harm.

“I've been raising children on my own for 19 years and my kids are all going to college. I've never depended on the state,” she said.

Because she cannot legally continue her cannabis medication in Australia, she will only stay for one week.

“I'm only going to be in Australia for a week because I'm going to be living on pharmaceuticals for that time. If Australia had medical cannabis, I'm sure that you would have a lot more visitors from other countries.”

Medical cannabis regulations were introduced in Canada in 2001.

Although the issue is controversial in the US, 14 states there have introduced it, and similar allowances exist in Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Finland and Portugal.

Ms von Windheim will join a forum on the issue of medical cannabis at the MardiGrass festival on the weekend.

© 2009 H.U.M.A.N.: Hemp Users Medical Access Network - Toronto Medical Marijuana