SEE NEWS VIDEO HERE: http://www.myhighplains.com/story/d/story/west-texas-woman-fighting-for-legalization-of-medi/37545/hdnD5QmbXEiZmaG3Lou-_Q
ODESSA -- Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia have implemented laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Texas native Lydia Decker, 47, has been fighting lawmakers to add the Lone Star State to the list since 2010.
“When you're ill and you know that these medicines don't work and they make you sick,” Decker said, “what choice do you have?”
In
December of 2014, Decker began fighting her own life. She was diagnosed
with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a type of lung disease that
gradually worsens over time. She has been using cannabis oil as a form
of treatment, and she told KAMC News the results have been very
positive.
“I
don't want to be strapped to a hose. I don't want to have to carry a
machine around with me to breath, and I don't want to take medicines
that will make me feel sick,” Decker said. “I just really believe that
in just a couple more months that this will completely be gone.”
“The
science is still developing on medical marijuana,” said State Senator
Charles Perry of Lubbock. “There are examples of success and examples of
failures—it seems to depend on the individual in treatment.”
Decker
said, in her case, because she has began using cannabis oil, she no
longer has to rely on her oxygen tank 24 hours a day or rely on
medications that make her feel sick.
Currently,
cannabis oil, like other marijuana products, is illegal in Texas, but
Decker hopes that her success will encourage lawmakers in Austin to
consider legalization.
Senator Perry said he is doubtful that the debate will reach Austin anytime soon.
“The
medical debate continues to be discussed but politically the time has
not arrived,” Perry said. “I hope that any medical benefit can be
scientifically perfected to remove all addictive elements and all the
other undesirable problems associated with this issue for future debate
to be had.”
After
watching her family and friends lose their battle with various
illnesses, Decker founded the website Genesis-129.org, to educate the
community on why she believes marijuana should be legalized in Texas.
“Over
the years we've had family members die of bone cancer and pancreatic
cancer and all of these illnesses that could have been very well helped
if it would have just been legal,” Decker said.
“When
I was diagnosed I thought, 'You know, well now I'm not only fighting
this and fighting for the legal use of it for everybody else that needs
it,'” Decker said. “But I'm also fighting as a patient.”
Decker has lived in Texas her entire life. Recently, she moved to Odessa with her husband.
“Twenty
four states now are legal to use this as a medicine, and we don't feel
that we should have to move from the state of Texas, that where we live
and where we work, to be able to get medical help,” Decker said.
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