A mother from Cork who paved the way for the election of a medical cannabis-based treatment

A crusading mother who helped pave the way for treatment with medical cannabis in Ireland is planning to run as a candidate for the Fine Gael bid for West Cork in local elections next year.

Yvonne Cahalane, of Dunmanway, County Cork, whose young son, Tristan, became the first person in Ireland to be allowed to import cannabis for medical purposes, confirmed that his name would be presented at the selection convention Party for the West Cork Municipal District next week. It should be added to the ticket.

"When we were in a desperate situation, we asked for help, we asked for help from everyone. We did not focus on one political party. And although this issue is controversial, Fine Gael is the only one to have done it and to have done something about it, "she said.

If I can put myself in a position to help the people who have helped us, to stand with the party that helped us, I can not think of a better way to thank them.

She also called for implementation of the proposed program of access to cannabis, announced in February 2017, but which seems to be blocked.

Ms. Cahalane made headlines in 2015 by launching a US call for specialized treatment in the treatment of medical marijuana for Tristan, with Dravet syndrome – a rare form of epilepsy and serious.

He suffered up to 20 seizures a day, with some of the most serious seizures lasting up to an hour.

Ms. Cahalane and Tristan moved to Colorado, where treatment over the course of a year transformed her life, before they returned home.

They then marked history in December 2016 when Tristan became the first person in Ireland to be allowed to import cannabis for medical use.

They go to the Netherlands every two or three months to take their medication, while two Irish doctors supervise their treatment.

Ms. Cahalane stated that while Tristan was now attending mainstream school and that the treatment was controlling her symptoms, it was not a cure.

She began studying law at Griffith College and her extensive research on medicinal cannabis led her to make recommendations to the Oireachtas.

Health Committee prior to the drafting of the medical cannabis access program.

If she is elected to the County Council of Cork, she makes sure that the Dunmanway playground becomes one of the most inclusive in the country, with the addition of additional equipment tailored to the needs of the people. disabilities.