Timothy Dean Garon (September 13, 1951 – May 1, 2008) was an American singer/songwriter who was denied a liver transplant by the University of Washington Medical Center due to his legal use of cannabis.
Garon contracted the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and received medical cannabis under the supervision of a physician in compliance with Initiative 692 of the State of Washington's Medical Use of Marijuana Act of 1998. The law makes it legal for patients to use, possess and cultivate cannabis with a medical certificate according to state law, but not according to U.S. federal law. Garon's physician "authorized Garon to smoke pot to alleviate nausea and abdominal pain and to stimulate his appetite."
The issue raises ethical concerns regarding future transplants. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Marijuana Policy Project posted blogs on the internet addressing Garon's story.
Music
Tim Garon recorded two albums: "Drunk in the Arms of Love" with Nashville producer/guitarist Cam King, and "Silence of Her Heart" with T-Bone Wolk of SNL fame and who played with Hall & Oates.
References
- See also: Gonzales v. Raich.
- Associated Press (2008-05-02). "Medical marijuana user dies for lack of liver transplant". Local News. The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2008-06-18. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
Further reading
- Baram, Marcus (2008-05-20). "Medical Marijuana User Denied Organ Transplant". Health. ABC News. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- Heffter, Emily (2008-05-04). "Rally calls for end to pot "prohibition"". Local News. Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- Holden, Dominic (2008-05-20). "Chronic Illness". News. The Stranger. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- Johnson, Gene (2008-05-26). "Medical Marijuana Patients Face Transplant Hurdles". Associated Press.
- Mattsukawa, Lori (2008-04-28). "Medical Marijuana Knocks Seattle Musician Off Transplant List". KING-TV.
- Ostrom, Carol M.; Seattle Times staff; The Associated Press (2008-05-03). "Is Medical Marijuana Use Reason to Deny Someone an Organ Transplant?". Health. Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- "Patient Spotlight" (PDF). Marijuana Policy Report. 14 (2). Washington, DC: Marijuana Policy Project: 10. Summer 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
- Johnson, Gene; Cherie Black (2008-05-02). "Pot Eased Suffering, May Have Cost His Life". Local News. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- Yagi, Joy (2008-05-07). "UW Medical Center Denies Transplant, Man Dies". The Daily of the University of Washington. Retrieved 2008-07-22.