Home UK Familys plea to legalise medicinal cannabis for their epileptic son

Familys plea to legalise medicinal cannabis for their epileptic son

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Joe Roberts for Metro.co.uk

This severely epileptic 11-year-old boy has joined the fight to legalise medicinal cannabis.

Oliver Snales family say they were told by doctors 18 months ago where to buy cannabis oil, and assured it would be available on the NHS within a year.

But like several other high-profile cases, Oliver has been made to wait for the political cogs to turn, leaving them with no choice but to buy the medication online.

Familys plea to legalise medicinal cannabis for their epileptic son

Oliver suffers from around 20 life-threatening seizures a day without cannabis oil (Picture: Kate Rothwell)

Oliver Credit: Change.org/Kate Rothwell Source: change.org/p/legalise-cannabis-oil-for-medical-use-in-the-uk-through-the-nhs

Oliver with mum Jennifer Snale (Picture: Kate Rothwell)

Oliver, from Woolton, Liverpool, is being treated at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital, and suffers from around 20 life-threatening seizures a day without cannabis oil.

His cousin Kate Rothwell, 20, says this significantly drops to one or two seizures every 24 hours when he takes the medication.

But Kate says Olivers parents Jennifer and Steve Snale were told by doctors three weeks ago they must stop giving him the medication, which he was taking at home.

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Now that the Home Office has called for a review of medicinal cannabis, and announced an expert panel of doctors to consider individual cases, Olivers family remains committed to secure the treatment he urgently needs.

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Kates petition to legalise cannabis oil through the NHS has been backed by hundreds of thousands of people in just 24 hours.

As of 4pm today, more than 220,000 people have signed it, which Kate says has been completely overwhelming.

She said: Knowing that there is a medicine out there that can help and change his life, but were not allowed to give to him because of the political situation is just absolutely devastating, and incredibly frustrating.

I know Im not the only person who feels this way because Ive had over 187,000 signatures in the last 24 hours.

Oliver Credit: Change.org/Kate Rothwell Source: change.org/p/legalise-cannabis-oil-for-medical-use-in-the-uk-through-the-nhs

Olivers fight for medicinal cannabis has been backed by more than 220,000 people (Picture: Kate Rothwell)

Oliver Credit: Change.org/Kate Rothwell Source: change.org/p/legalise-cannabis-oil-for-medical-use-in-the-uk-through-the-nhs

Olivers seizures dramatically fall to one or two a day when he takes medicinal cannabis (Picture: Kate Rothwell)

She added: We need to continue that support though because instead of just the review thats been promised by the Home Secretary, were pushing for a quicker turn around.

We want a legalisation of medicinal cannabis, not just a review.

A review is going to take a long time and Oliver, and other patients just dont have that time.

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The Home Office told Metro.co.uk they are looking into Olivers case.

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