“I’M dead against drugs, obviously. But seeing your wife in pain, nauseous all the time and not eating – that changes things.”
Toowoomba man Heath Chant has watched his wife Jasmine, 28, battle colon cancer for the past year.
Special diets, natural therapy and chemotherapy: they have tried them all.
But one treatment which is still illegal in Australia is giving Mr Chant some hope that Jasmine could enjoy some quality of life.
A special feature on Channel 7’s Sunday Night opened his eyes to the possibilities that may exist within the shadowy world of medical marijuana – shadowy largely due to its illegality in Australia.
Heath and Jasmine Chant believe the Australian Government should consider legalising medicinal marijuana for terminally-ill patients. Despite his respect for the law, Mr Chant said at some point a drug stopped being a drug and became a medicine.
“I’m trying to give Jas a bit of normality in her life, to make her as pain-free as possible,” he said.
“If people could walk in my shoes and see what she has to go through, that would open their eyes.”
International acceptance is growing for the use of marijuana as a medicinal tool for a growing list of conditions including HIV, cancer and epilepsy.
In the past week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association supported moves for terminally-ill patients to be allowed to possess the drug.
The debate is just getting started and Mr Chant believes a resolution needs to come sooner rather than later.
“At the end of the day, all I want is for Jas to have a better quality of life.”
- Donations to help Jasmine Chant receive treatment in Germany can be made online at www.mycause.com.au/page/76322.
- A special fundraiser for Jasmine will be held at Sandgate Town Hall in Seymour St from 7pm on Friday, June 27.
- Raffle and auction items can be donated by calling Kimberley Flynn on 0432 846 526.
- Zumba Fitness Fun Toowoomba will hold a fundraising class on Saturday from 3pm at Centenary Heights State School. For details call 0448 171 577.