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Stockbroker crusades for medicinal marijuana
Broward man must use ‘10 cigarettes daily’ to cope with bone disorder
By Linda Trischitta, Staff writer

November 20, 2009

FORT LAUDERDALE

Since 1982, Irvin Rosenfeld has received a free tin of 300 marijuana cigarettes from the federal government every 25 days. And he wants the world to know how it has helped him cope with multiple congenital cartilaginous exostosis, a bone disorder that resulted in scores of tumors in his body.

At a picnic table outside his office building Friday, stockbroker Irvin Rosenfeld took a long drag on his 115,000th marijuana cigarette.

“It’s delicious because it’s legal,” said Rosenfeld, 56. A bag bearing a prescription label that orders “use 10 cigarettes daily” lay before him. “I’m appreciative, happy and healthy because I have the right medicine.”

Rosenfeld was celebrating. Since 1982, he said, he has received a free tin of 300 marijuana cigarettes from the federal government every 25 days. And he wants the world to know how it has helped him cope with multiple congenital cartilaginous exostosis, a bone disorder that resulted in scores of tumors in his body.

He credits marijuana with easing muscular contractions, swelling and pain he has felt since age 10. He also believes it inhibits new tumors on his largest bones, growths that can tear muscles and blood vessels.


“If I didn’t use marijuana, if I was still alive I’d be homebound and not have a lot of mobility,” he said.

Rosenfeld said he did not experience red eyes, sleepiness or food cravings from using marijuana.

“I get no euphoric effect from the medicine,” he said.

Rosenfeld would not name his physician because of privacy concerns and a spokeswoman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said she cannot confirm any individual’s story.

Rosenfeld presented his doctor’s report of his marijuana treatment to the FDA 27 years ago and began receiving shipments as a participant in the agency’s compassionate investigational new drug program, he said.

“God’s been there for me and I’ve got to give back,” Rosenfeld said about his crusade to destigmatize medical marijuana.

According to ProCon.org, 13 states have legalized marijuana for medical use, a list that does not include Florida.

But the federal Drug Enforcement Administration considers marijuana illegal in every state.

Penalties for amounts smaller than what Rosenfeld’s tin contains can garner 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Depending upon amounts possessed at arrest, prison sentences can increase to 15 years.

Debbie Rosenfeld said of the marijuana use by her husband of 36 years, “I hate the smoke and ashes. I don’t use it. But I’m the first one to jump on the bandwagon for what it’s done for him.”

She described how her husband would wake up screaming when his muscles would tighten around bone growths.

“He’d be crawling on the floor, wishing the pain would ease,” she said. “But with marijuana, all of that went away. He’s been on some heavy medications in his day. Now he can get up and come to work.”


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