Why I Changed My Mind About Medicinal Cannabis

TEDx Talks

Hugh Hempel is a technology industry veteran turned healthcare entrepreneur. Twelve years ago Hugh’s 10-year-old identical twin daughters were diagnosed with a rare and fatal disease called Niemann Pick Type C, or “Childhood Alzheimer’s.” Hugh and his wife have since then researched every possible treatment. They eventually discovered that a simple sugar compound called cyclodextrin could save their twins’ lives.

After receiving permission from the FDA to begin treating their daughters with cyclodextrin the began. However, they quickly found that though the treatment worked there were other problems. Their daughters were suffering from up to 100 seizures a week. After further research, they discovered that CBD could help reduce the number and intensity of their daughter’s seizures.

In this video, Hugh discusses the frustration of being labeled a criminal for attempting to save his children. This is a feeling more and more parents are struggling with today. All across the world, people are opening up to the benefits of cannabinoids for medicinal use. Yet governments still refuse to acknowledge this. It is videos like this that will hopefully change not only opinions but the law as well.