Australian Father Faces 20 Years Jail In After Trying To Treat Daughter’s Cancer With Cannabis Oil

When Adam Koessler’s 2 year old daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma – a very serious abdomen cancer – he sought to do whatever he could to get her well again.

As a concerned parent that wanted to find the least harmful way to treat his daughter’s illness, Adam came across studies such as these, showing very positive results with treating her type of cancer with an alternative therapy – Cannabis oil.

In Australia – where Adam and his daughter reside – the use of medicinal marijuana is still currently illegal.

However, this didn’t stop Adam from trying to treat her with cannabis oil.

Arrested For Administering Medical Grade Cannabis Oil

Adam was arrested at the start of this year, January 2nd, for “allegedly administering medicinal cannabis oil” to his 2 year old daughter.  He was also charged with ”possession of a dangerous drug.” He faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.
His daughter has now been removed from his care (he is not in a relationship with the girl’s mother, they split up several years ago) and is allowed to visit her in the Lady Cilento Children’s hospital in South Brisbane, Australia. She is currently being treated with aggressive chemotherapy.

Before his daughter’s diagnosis Adam was allowed to see her four days a week as per a court order issued back in 2013.

He is now only allowed to visit her with restricted access, and he is not being informed about her treatment and progress – or, for that matter, about anything significant in relation to her care.

The patent (US6630507) is titled “Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants” and was awarded to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in October 2003.

Adam has sought to organize a registered business to supply organic meals for her to have during her stay in hospital but the hospital will not approve of the delivery of the meals.

After speaking to other parents in the same hospital, Adam was told that they are allowed to bring whatever they like to their own children. Some are even bringing food from the very same organic business that Adam wanted to use. It seems Adam is being incredibly unfairly treated.

A Parent Doesn’t Even Have A Right To Feed Their Kids Healthy Food?

Most people will agree that it’s not okay to keep a parent away from a child during hospital stays and treatments such as chemotherapy.  The trauma that can occur from this alone is incredibly stressful and damaging – particularly when the child is only two years old.

To not allow a parent to give healthier food (even airplane food tends to be far better than what is served in our hospitals!) is truly disgusting.

What’s happening to Adam is another example of how our human rights – and rights as parents – are being taken away from us.

Adam’s story is sadly not at all rare.

The government and medical system can “own” our children and do as they will when they decide to step in, and when they do, a parent loses all rights.

If you are a parent, can you even begin to imagine what that would be like? Wouldn’t it be your worst nightmare, not only to have a child diagnosed with cancer, but to not be able to decide what is given in the treatment of it, and then you are not allowed to see your child when you wish, or be in charge of what they eat in order to get well again.

Medical Use Of Cannabis Is Legal In Many Countries

The infuriating thing about this case is that medical use of cannabis is now legal in quite a few countries and jurisdictions. Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Israel, Netherlands, Spain, and some states in the US (such as Colorado), although it is illegal under US federal law. More states in the USA are set to make Cannabis legal for medicinal use. The use of cannabis oil alongside standard cancer treatment also has it’s benefits, pain and nausea are said to be far less due to the soothing effects of Cannabis.

Whilst Adam only wanted the best for his daughter and has done intense research into Cannabis for cancer treatment, Adam is being treated like a criminal. The laws in Australia clearly need to change.

As you can see from above, the US Government holds a patent for using cannabis oil as a medicine.  So it’s madness that people are vilified for using it when Governments know it works and clearly have plans for its use in the future.  Many people feel that they will only release it as a ‘drug’ when pharmaceutical companies can profit from it.

Let’s Help This Father

Adam’s story has been in the Australian media where he has a lot of support from some members of the Australian public who are petitioning that this law regarding the use of medical cannabis must be changed. Adam is now in desperate need of funding to help him defend his case in court. I therefore hope that we can get behind this and donate, even if its just $10.

There is a go fund me campaign to help Adam.  I really urge you to donate.  I personally always think when I see these sorts of cases that someone would help me if I were in the same position.

Adam’s Facebook support page:  adamfearlessfather