vol2 - Page 56
Page 56
Previous ,
Next ,
Original Image
Return to Index
i mpai ri rig.: his facu)_ti:e_.. Who he-.wa.s sm_k:ing ma_fj_Bna. _gv,-I _ly' he, was more
: active, _lert and outgoing°
35° Marijuana controlled his spasms so well that Branstetter could go
out with f_t_f_encls ar_.:_:._: began.to play bf.lliards again_ The _onger he smoked
_:_". :;._ij._:tffle_o_'_ h_ _as able "to use his arms and hands. Marijuana also
.... improved his bladder control and bowel movements_
36. At times the illegal marijuana Bramstetter was smoking became very
expensive and sometimes _as umaveilableo During periods when he did aot have
_m_mfjuana his spasms would return, preventing Branst_tter from living a "normal _'
• _ life, He would begin to shake uncontrollably, his body would feel tense, and
his muscles would spasm.
37,: _n 1979 Branstetter was arrested and convicted of possession of
"
marijuana. He was placed o_ probation for two year_o During that period h_
• continued smoking marijuana and truthfully reportd this, and the reason for it;_
to his probatiom officer whenever asked about it. Ro action was taken against
Branstett_r by the court or probation authorities because of his continuing use
of marijuana, except once in the wake of his publicly testifying _bout it before
the Missouri legislature. Th_n, although adverse action was threatened by the
judge, nothing was actually donee.
38. tn IgBl Bramstetter and a friend, a paraplegic, participated in a
research study testing the therapeutic, effects of synthetic THC on spasticity°
Placed on the THC Branstetter found that it did help control his spasms but
appeared to became less effective with repeated use. Also, unlike marijuana,
- 50
Previous ,
Next ,
Return to Index