A French Patient Goes On a Hunger Strike, Demanding a Treatment Based on Medical Cannabis

Laurent Puisais cannot move his legs and one arm due to the multiple sclerosis that he suffers. But the worst part of all is the pain he endures. Cannabis-based Sativex could alleviate the pain suffered by this 52 year old who has been dealing with his disease for a quarter of a century.

It is still not known when Sativex will hit shelves in French pharmacies, even though the oral spray is available in 17 European countries, including the UK and Spain. The laboratory that produces it, Almirall, has not reached an agreement with the authorities on the price of the medicine, preventing patients like Laurent from improving their daily lives. “Why are MS patients denied this opportunity to alleviate their pain?” he asks.

Sick and tired of the situation, Puisais decided to commence a hunger strike on 13 July to demand that the situation be resolved as soon as possible. He is asking “those boycotting Sativex” to look him in the eyes (...) and “explain to me why they won't let me live the damned life that I have left without suffering.”

It's not the first time that Laurent has decided to adopt this position. He's been in a wheelchair for ten years, but has never ceased to call for the legalisation of medical marijuana.

In 2012 the public prosecutor denied his request to consume therapeutic cannabis in order to allay his pain. On that occasion he also decided to undertake a hunger strike to protest his situation. Move by his case, a woman provided him with two sprays. “It was miraculous. I had a two-month reprieve,” he stated.

Through his action, Puisais seeks to benefit more than just himself with Sativex. His hope is that his struggle will lead to cannabis treatments benefitting patients suffering from other conditions. He has also created an association, SE-Possible, to advocate for his cause.