The Faces of Medical Marijuana

[Matt Brown]

They live with cancer, multiple sclerosis, severe digestive and neurological disorders, constant pain and other devastating conditions. For some, allergies prohibit traditional painkillers. For others, traditional western medicine has had no impact – or worse – has actually exacerbated their condition. For each, medical marijuana gives them back their life. They are the faces of medical marijuana.

Whether serving as a painkiller, muscle relaxer, appetite stimulator, psychological aid or symptom alleviator, medical marijuana enables its patients to experience a quality of life they never thought they would have. Responsible regulation of medical marijuana will ensure that these patients continue to receive safe, responsible access to and use of this lifesaving treatment.

Here are their stories.

SHARON BROWN: Sharon Brown, a part time receptionist, has suffered from a variety of autoimmune disorders since 1993. Her platelets are so low that her blood will not clot, eating is a challenge and she struggles with rheumatoid arthritis. "I'm really kind of wasting away. My body is breaking down" she said. Medical marijuana has helped her fight ongoing pain and rebuild her blood platelet count. “Without medical marijuana, I would not have any quality of life.” (Video Coming Soon)

ANNIE NOEL: Annie Noel, a former truck driver, was severely injured in a major accident. “They sent the coroner out to scrape me off the road,” she said, and later her doctor told her she would never walk again. But Annie went through intense rehabilitation and never gave up. Today, she can walk and is an active member of her church and her community. “The one thing that helps my pain more than anything else is medical marijuana.” Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Vlv-bijdk to view Annie’s testimonial.

RAY MERRIWEATHER: Ray Merriweather has suffered from the onset of multiple sclerosis since 2001. His symptoms include severe weakness, sensory loss, gate difficulties, severe pain, and lesions on his spinal cord and in his brain. And because he suffers from MS – a disease with no cure – his symptoms progressively worsen. Thanks to medical marijuana, Brian has continued to speak and move normally, despite his brain lesions and severe pain. He even mountain bikes and works out regularly. "The benefits that I get from it are fascinating. I get to live a normal life," he said. (Video Coming Soon)

JANNA HARRISON: Before Janna Hudson received her medical marijuana license in June 2009, severe digestive and neurological issues led to an ongoing struggle with extreme pain, hernias and muscle spasms. Lack of hunger and inability to swallow dropped her weight to a deadly 98 pounds. And a series of surgeries coupled with an allergy to opiates such as morphine, ibuprofen and codeine have compounded her struggle. “Medical marijuana is all I have." she said. Since using medical marijuana, Janna is able to eat and can enjoy a life free of the extreme pain she has dealt with since birth. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tawPFMJKC2Y&feature=related to view Janna’s testimonial.

DILLON PRICE: Dillon Price is 15 years old and suffers from Lyme disease. From the onset of this disease, Dillon has lost 60 pounds and was unable to gain any weight or maintain his appetite through traditional medications. This has recently changed for Dillon thanks to medical marijuana. He has an appetite, almost no nauesa, and is now able to take any additional medications besides medical marijuana. The pain associated with Lyme disease has subsided and Dillon is able to lead the life a 15-year-old boy should be leading. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEaH1PwUjC8&feature=related to view Dillon’s testimonial.

WILLIAM CHENGALIS: William Chengalis suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain in his hand from falling off a ladder, hepatitis C and bipolar disorder. The string of traditional medicines William maintained for the past five years were slowing working to destroy his liver. But now he has the option to use medical marijuana and piece by piece his life is returning to what it was prior to five year ago. “I’m not taking a narcotic and to me that’s important,” explains William. (Video Coming Soon)

CONNIE CANTRELL: Connie suffers from chronic pain due to a car accident, which tore the muscle in her upper left arm and having an 11 pound tumor removed from her torso. Not your typical medical marijuana patient, Connie is well past her mid-twenties and deals with constant pain every day. Medical marijuana has helped ease the tension and relax enough to get some sleep to make it through the following day. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1NKfQGoHfI to view Connie’s testimonial.