The ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ has taken America by storm. For the two people in America that don’t know what the Ice Bucket Challenge is, essentially a person is challenged to either dump a bucket of ice water on their head, or make a donation to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is characterized by muscle spasticity, rapidly progressive weakness due to muscle atrophy, difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
I think that the Ice Bucket Challenge is a great thing. It has resulted in millions of dollars of donations to the ALS Association. However, I feel that it’s worth pointing out that marijuana can help those suffering from ALS. Case in point – Cathy Jordan. Cathy Jordan was diagnosed with ALS in 1986. She was given 3-5 years to live. Below is Cathy’s account of trying marijuana to help ease her ALS symptoms, per Florida Decides:
Cathy is a very determined woman. In 1989, she decided to winter in Florida. She knew she could save enough muscle relaxants to go back to her home in Delaware, celebrate one last New Year’s birthday, then die with dignity. While on a beach in Bradenton, Cathy smoked a joint of a local strain of cannabis, Myakka Gold, and she felt her disease stop.
“I don’t know how to describe it,” says Cathy when she shares the story. “It was like a low hum all over my body; I smoked the cannabis, I got hungry, I felt good. The hum just stopped.”
Cathy Jordan has lived 28 years with ALS, and says that marijuana saved her life. Marijuana can help others suffering from ALS. Again, I think that the Ice Bucket Challenge is a great thing, and I hope that the ALS Association keeps getting donations. However, I think it’s also important to recommend marijuana to people that are suffering from, or know someone who is suffering from, ALS. It could help keep them alive, like in the case of Cathy Jordan.
