Last Week In Weed Issue 61
Published May 29th 2023
In this issue of Last Week in Weed, We look at the tragic death of Ava Barry the daughter of Irish cannabis campaigner Vera Twomey. A new study from the US has found that cannabis isn’t linked to the development of COPD, and finally. Amsterdam's public cannabis smoking ban comes into effect in the historic Red Light District.
Ava Barry Tragically Passes Away at 13
The first story we look at in this issue comes from the Republic of Ireland and the tragic passing of Ava Barry (13). Last week (May 26th) the daughter of Irish cannabis campaigner Vera Twomey passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by family following a recent illness.
Ava had Dravet syndrome, a complex form of Epilepsy that affects around 1:20,000 individuals. This meant that Ava would have catastrophic seizures sometimes dozens of times a day. The regularity and severity of Ava’s seizures meant that the local ambulance service no longer asked for the family’s address when responding to calls.
Ava’s condition was so life-threatening that she had previously suffered a cardiac arrest and an eight-day coma. In May 2017, having previously tried every available option and being left with nothing but Google. Vera travelled to Spain to get Ava a prescription for ‘medicinal’ cannabis from a specialist consultant to treat her treatment-resistant Epilepsy. Unfortunately, Vera was detained for an hour and the THC-rich cannabis oil for her daughter was confiscated by customs officials when she landed in Ireland.
Frustrated by a lack of access at home, in the latter half of 2017, Vera moved to The Hague in Holland with Ava for 6 months to obtain consistent access to THC-rich cannabis oil to continue to treat her Epilepsy.
“It is freedom for us. We have a medicine that works. We can speak openly and honestly about Ava having the THC form of cannabis. We don’t have to hide in the shadows. THC has saved Ava’s life and changed her life and is the most humane form of medication." - Vera Twomey
In late 2017, then Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris granted Ava a special licence to use the life-saving cannabis oil from The Netherlands. Although the family were able to be reunited and granted access to Ava’s medication they also had to self-fund her treatment – costing them €12,000 annually.
In 2018 the Irish government agreed to reimburse the cost of Ava’s cannabis oil. Although the family still had to travel to Holland and pay the €1,000 a month for the medication before receiving the money back several weeks later. In April 2021 the Irish government agreed to pay for the treatment up front by direct payment.
“It doesn’t matter if you are the first, second or the 23rd person to get medicinal cannabis. It is your duty to share some of your success and how it is achieved." - Vera Twomey
Prior to switching to cannabis Ava was on 15 pharmaceutical drugs including 6 anti-epileptic drugs but still suffered dozens of daily seizures. Vera said that Ava’s seizures were a “terrifying experiences” because she never knew if her daughter would come back from one intact.
“The medication wasn’t working, she was still having seizures, her brain was still being damaged but the pharmaceutical companies were obtaining the revenue from the tablets my daughter was taking. Now my medicine cupboard is almost empty – and my daughter's seizures are under control” - Vera Twomey
The recent developments and advances in Irish cannabis policy are largely due to the tireless and fearless campaigning of Vera Twomey to access cannabis oil for Ava. She spoke at Parliament, in the press, and in the media passionately sharing her and Ava’s story with anyone that would listen.
Vera fought for years to ensure her daughter’s access to this vital life-changing medication. She walked from her home in Cork to Leinster House Dublin, a distance of over 160 miles, twice! In 2019, Vera published a book titled ‘For Ava’ in which she documents her experiences and Ava’s amazing journey with epilepsy and cannabis.
I was lucky enough to be in Dublin for 420 in 2018 where I met Vera for the first time. I was immediately blown away by her determination, resilience, and love for Ava. Over the years one woman's campaign moved mountains for her daughter and in the process kick-started an urgently needed conversation that could better the daily everyone in Ireland The legacy Ava leaves behind is one of true inspiration, tenacity, and hope. Rest well young Ava.
You can learn more about Vera and Ava’s journey in episode 49 of The Simpa Life Podcast
Cannabis Smoking Not Linked To COPD
Next up, we have a new study from the United States of America that shows that the smoking of cannabis doesn’t cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The study titled ‘Impact of Marijuana Smoking on COPD Progression in a Cohort of Middle-Aged and Older Persons’ is a collaboration with a range of researchers from various institutions around the US.
COPD is a progressive lung disease characterised by long-term respiratory issues and limitations in lung airflow that affects 1.2 million individuals living in the UK. It is caused by prolonged exposure to harmful particles and gases in the air that irritate, inflame, and damage the lungs.
Environmental and genetic factors can increase the risk of developing the disease. However, the smoking of tobacco has long been strongly associated with the onset of COPD, indeed it is considered to be the single largest contributory factor in the development of the disease. However, only a minority of tobacco consumers contract the disease so other factors must be playing a part in its pathology.
Researchers from the study published in the Journal of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Foundation explored the connection between a cohort of middle-aged cannabis smokers and COPD. They found that neither current nor historic cannabis smoking was associated with the development or progression of the lung disease. Although the researchers admit that because of the study’s limitations, further investigation is required to better understand the longer-term effects of smoking cannabis on COPD.
A similar study published in the Respiratory Medicine Journal from the University of Queensland in Australia followed 1,100 individuals aged 21-30 for 9 years. It found that the individuals that smoked cannabis without tobacco did not affect their lungs and respiratory functionality after nearly a decade of combusting cannabis.
Previous research presented at the American College of Chest Physicians in 2022 found that patients that use cannabis are significantly less likely to experience acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This makes sense when you consider that cannabis smoke has previously been associated with ‘higher lung volume’, and ‘increased large-airway resistance’, and is believed to be a bronchodilator.
The harmful consequences of smoking tobacco have been incorrectly associated with cannabis smoke for decades. It has been used to justify denying cannabis consumers their basic human rights and to halt any meaningful conversations about ending its prohibition. This study and others like it go a long way to helping dispel these harmful myths and the government-sponsored propaganda that surrounds the smoking of cannabis.
Amsterdam Public Cannabis Smoking Ban Begins
In The Red Light District
The final story in this issue comes from Amsterdam, Holland where a new ban on the smoking of cannabis in public in the Red Light District of ‘De Wallen’ has come into effect. From May 25th 2023 anyone caught smoking cannabis in public in the area will receive a €100 fine – for context getting caught urinating in the street in Amsterdam can result in a €140 fine.
Built-in the 13th century, ‘De Wallen’ is the historic medieval centre of the city and the oldest district in Amsterdam. It was established to serve the newly created ‘Damrak’ harbour following the damming of the River Amstel at what is now ‘Dam Square’ sometime between the 11th and early 13th centuries. Before the ‘Damrak’ was filled in 1672, it was the busiest trade canal in Amsterdam.
Sex workers are believed to have begun soliciting sex on the street around the late 14th century, with a large concentration appearing in ‘De Wallen’ - which today remains the largest red light district in Amsterdam.
‘Prostitution’ has been ‘legal’ in the Netherlands since 2000. Which along with the country’s infamously liberal approach to ‘soft drugs’ has made the city attractive to hedonistic travellers and tourists seeking sexual and conscious liberation. For decades stag/hen do’s and groups of feral alcohol intoxicated predominantly young men have been the bane of residents' lives.
After years of some local residents complaining and calling for the city to clamp down on the antisocial and nuisance behaviour of the 18 million annual visitors. A crackdown on ‘out of control’ and ‘wild’ tourists has finally begun, much to the delight of the city’s permanent residents.
In recent years the Mayor of Amsterdam has sought to control, contain, and curtail these activities to no avail. However, back in 2018, shortly after being elected, Femke Halsema, the first female Mayor of Amsterdam, announced that she wanted to close the ‘De Wallen’ red light district and move sex work out of the city centre.
In 2020, as part of these reform measures the city banned guided tours from operating in the red light district and in 2021, a multi-storey ‘erotic centre’ was commissioned to house the city's sex workers and the adult industry. Although ‘nimbyism’ is currently delaying a final decision being made on its location.
In early 2020, it became apparent that Mayor Halsema also wanted to ban foreign tourists from cannabis coffeeshops – as she believes that this could reduce the footfall of the red light district by 44%. In 2022, Mayor Halsema tried to push for a ban on tourists visiting the city’s cannabis coffeeshops and coming to Amsterdam to enjoy the unique freedoms it offers cannabis consumers from around the world.
Earlier this year the city of Amsterdam launched an online campaign targetting young British men who are searching terms like “stag party Amsterdam”, “cheap hotel Amsterdam”, and “pub crawlAmsterdam” on search engines. Searching these terms triggers a warning video advert describing the possible criminal and health risks and consequences of excessive alcohol and drug consumption when visiting the city.
“Visitors are still welcome, but not if they misbehave and cause a nuisance. As a city, we are saying: we’d rather not have this, so stay away.” - Sofyan Mbarki, deputy mayor for economic affairs
However, not everyone is happy about the Mayor’s new approach to cannabis. Jim Zielinski, a spokesperson for the famous Bulldog Coffeeshop and member of Biz Burgwallen has said that some local business owners were angry at the ban on public consumption in ‘De Wallen’ and worried that it will drive tourists away.
“The soul of the neighbourhood, what makes it so extraordinary, is slowly being pulled out. It’s like a game of Jenga, each time they take a block away and at some point, the whole pile will collapse.” - Jim Zielinski
Jim Zielinski believes the answer is increased enforcement of existing laws against the public consumption of alcohol and unregulated drug dealing – something I am inclined to agree with, at least in part.
I believe that cannabis coffeeshops, consumers, and sex workers are being scapegoated and paying the price for the consequences and harms of unbridled and excessive alcohol and cocaine consumption. The poly consumption of both drugs creates a third compound in the liver known as Cocaethylene. A far more potent version of cocaine that lasts longer and produces an increased sense of euphoria in its consumers.
In my opinion, it's this compound and the ‘moral holiday’ individuals take while visiting the cultural capital of The Netherlands that causes the most antisocial, depraved, and criminal behaviour – not cannabis or sex work. Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating a ban on those things either.
Drugs and alcohol consumption are not in and of themselves a problem in modern society. The issue is uncontrolled and excessive drug or alcohol consumption to mask, repress, or treat underlying, undiagnosed, and untreated mental health conditions.
Drug consumption (including alcohol) can also become problematic if an individual experiences relief from acute distress caused by societal expectations, economic pressures, and the general hopelessness felt acutely by anyone under 50.
Dependency is just a symptom, the real problem is a loss of mythos and meaning in our daily lives. Selfishness and self-destructive hedonism will always rise in a population when inequality, inequity, and injustice remain the dominant ideology.
Written By Simpa For The Simpa Life
