NSW dad fights drug charges after using cannabis to treat daughter's seizures
A NSW father, who treats his daughter’s epileptic seizures with cannabis products, has appeared in court on criminal drug charges.
Michael Lambert has admitted growing and using cannabis to help treat his daughter Katelyn but claims his actions are a medical necessity.
Five-year-old Katelyn Lambert can suffer hundreds of seizures of each day after she was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, which is a severe form of epilepsy.
Video of the police raid on Mr Lambert’s home was played to a Gosford court, with the sobbing father pleading with officers he needs the cannabis to treat his sick daughter.
“Take the medicine then and kick her in the head while you are there … as a father I’m not going to give it to you,” he sobs to officers.
The drugs charges were laid against Mr Lambert before last year’s legalisation of medicinal cannabis trials.
“Before (Katelyn) was doing a whole lot of dribbling and jerking … she wasn’t enjoying life. Look at her now,” Mr Lambert said, outside court.
Katelyn’s paediatrician told the court the five-year-old is now “happy, interactive and social” after the cannabis medication which “is a significant improvement in all areas”.
Mr Lambert, who represented himself in court, questioned witnesses in Thursday’s hearing but was warned by a magistrate he risked further incriminating himself.
“There’s no doubt what Michael is doing for Katelyn is life-saving,” Katelyn’s grandfather Barry Lambert said.
Mr Lambert is fighting the drug charges with his case set to continue.
