JOHN SMITH
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
ROBERT C. RANDALL, Plaintiff
V. Civil Action No.
UNITED STATES, et al., Defendants
AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN SMITH (fictitious name)
City of Washington )
District of Columbia ) ss.
I, John Smith (NAME WITHHELD)., being duly sworn, hereby make oath that, to wit:
I am 28 years old, in the United States Army, and presently stationed in Washington, D.C.
Prior to joining the Army I taught English on the secondary level and was, for a period of time, in the Peace Corps.
On July 6, 1977, while stationed in West Germany, I was struck in the face by a baseball. I suffered a blowout fracture and extensive vitreous hemorrhaging in my right eye. Trauma related to this injury has also generated secondary glaucoma in this eye.
Due to the vitreous hemorrhage, blood remained in my eye and reduced my vision drastically (20/400).
In order to relieve my elevated intraocular pressure, I was placed on Pilocarpine. When after a few days this proved ineffective, even at high dosages, Epinephrine was added. When this combination proved inadequate, Diamox, at 250 mg., 4 times a day, was also included in my medical routine.
Despite this intensive routine, intraocular pressure in my right eye remained elevated. For three weeks, steroid-type drugs were also administered in both topical and oral forms. These drugs, however, proved totally ineffective, and were discontinued for fear of side effects.
I have experienced various side effects from the drugs I have employed for glaucoma control. Diamox, left me listless and caused a sharp tingling in my extremities. This problem was somewhat relieved when I was placed on Diamox Sequels. I have also experienced insomnia and a “speedy” or “wired” feeling after taking some of these medications. Also, cataract formation has been observed in my right eye.
On August 12, 1977, I was transferred to the (REDACTED) in (REDACTED), West Germany. Immediately prior to the transfer, Lt. Col. Neal Logan, M.C., explained that he doubted I would be able to control my disease medically. The sight in my right eye remained impaired at 20/400 as a result of undrained blood. My intraocular pressure, often reaching 40+, was obviously out of control.
Upon admission to the (REDACTED) in (REDACTED), I was given another complete examination. Vision in my right eye remained 20/400 and my intraocular pressure was out of control and often in excess of 40. For example, on August 16, 1977, my IOP was 48 in the right eye and 15 in the left. Two days later, after further adjustments in my medical routine, my intraocular pressure was 44.
Despite numerous attempts to control the pressure, Maj. Bruce Bellin, M.C., informed me that maximum medical therapy was not controlling my glaucoma. I left Europe on November 16, 1977, and was admitted into the (REDACTED)
In late November, 1977, I was informed that a continuing failure to control my intraocular pressure would result in surgery. Due to other complications (blowout fracture), a cryosurgical procedure was under consideration.
Prior to my accident, I had heard about the use of marijuana to control glaucoma. On several occasions I asked my doctors about marijuana, but they were generally neutral in their comments.
During Christmas leave, from December 2, 1977, to January 2, 1978, I was able to locate an adequate supply of marijuana, which I smoked throughout my leave period. When I reported back to (REDACTED) a drastic reduction in the pressure in my right eye had occurred. My IOP was 18.
Further examination revealed that my visual acuity had also dramatically improved from 20/400 to 20/40. As a result of this lowered pressure and the sudden draining of blood, I was released from (REDACTED) Medical Center on January 9, 1978.
Since discovering marijuana’s therapeutic effect, I have continued to include it in my daily medical regimen.
On February 8, 1978, my intraocular pressure was under adequate control and I was taken off Diamox Sequels.
On March 8, the intraocular pressure in my right eye was 11. As a result of this low pressure, I was also taken off Pilocarpine, Ocusert-40 system.
Despite the removal of these medications, my intraocular pressure has remained under management. On my last visit, March 22, 1978, the intraocular pressure in my right eye was 12.
There is no question in my mind that marijuana has provided me with medical relief. Not only has the drug brought my intraocular pressure under control, even when other conventional medications proved inadequate, but it also facilitated removing blood from my eye.
I have consistently informed my doctor of my use of marijuana, and he has seen the results. My doctor seems interested and even intrigued by marijuana’s therapeutic properties, but is constrained on the subject.
21. At present I am using Epinephrine 2%, twice daily, in combination with 2 to 4 marijuana cigarettes nightly. This routine has provided me with adequate intraocular pressure control. Since the drug is unavailable by prescription, I am forced to purchase mine off the streets or from friends. Such a routine of supply does not seem the best medical approach to my problem, and I am now spending between $40 and $60 a week for marijuana.
