Reason TV on Cedars-Sinai denying liver transplant to medical marijuana patient Norman Smith
February 29th, 2012Posted by Kris Hermes
The fight to get a liver transplant for Norman Smith took another big step today with a Reason TV expose, “Transplant Denied,” featuring Smith and Steph Sherer, Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the group that’s throwing its weight behind the struggling medical marijuana patient.
Smith, 63, was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2009 and was put on a transplant waiting list at the world-renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. However a year ago, after becoming eligible for a transplant, Smith was removed from the list for testing positive for medical marijuana use. It didn’t seem to matter that Smith’s oncologist at Cedars was the physician who had recommended its use.
This moving piece by Reason TV accurately conveys the life of a man hanging in the balance between policies based on moral judgment and the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana. At his wit’s end, Smith tells Reason TV:
It’s only my life that I’m fighting for. What do I have to hide? I have nothing to hide.
Smith called his chances a “long shot,” but still wanted to “effect a change:”
It’s probably too late for me, but I hope it makes it easier for the next guy.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of other medical marijuana patients in California and other states who are suffering the same fate as Smith. With the authority for such decisions left to Cedars and transplant centers like it, the push for policy change must be directed locally. As such, ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford sent a letter to Cedars, urging it to immediately re-list Smith and change it policy with regard to medical marijuana. So far, Cedars has refused to budge.
Stay tuned here at Voices from the Frontlines for next steps in the transplant case of Norman Smith and the outdated policies of Cedars-Sinai. In the meantime, view this additional video footage of Smith and his plight.
February 29th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
The “drug war” = genocide, we must do as Portugal did in 2001, legalize all drugs. There was a good article in Forbes Magazine, of all places, advocating drug legalization because Portugal cut both the costs & problems with prohibition in half! Washington spends $500 a second on the failed “drug war”! I’m hoping Norman Smith gets his transplant!
March 1st, 2012 at 1:13 am
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March 2nd, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Good luck Norman !!
March 3rd, 2012 at 7:33 am
Thanks Norman for sharing your story. I’m in a similar situation caused by renal failure and have been denied a kidney transplant. What makes me angry is that the government wouldn’t allow scientists to study medical marijuana. Also I have read that in 1937 when marijuana was became illegal, the only group to protest was the AMA
March 3rd, 2012 at 10:32 am
This is how we lost Steve Jobs as well – I thought that would be a wake up call – extremely disappointed in Cedars
March 14th, 2012 at 6:52 am
a quick comment on andrews comment, 500 dollars per second, sounds like someone’s making quite a bit of money. remember when taxpayers pay someone receives, typically someone in our government.
June 10th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
We need more understanding and compassion on the part of our healthcare systems. I am saddened by what I have read. May God have mercy on us all for your insensitivities with the dying. Where is the kindness and justice for Norman? Charley Lopez