DRUG MUCH BETTER THAN ALTERNATIVES

I'm a marijuana user. About three years ago, I was diagnosed with a
rather rare auto-immune system illness. I spent a week in the hospital
to determine that. I was prescribed a heavy dose of
anti-inflammatories and codeine medications. The side effects caused
massive loss of muscle and bone necrosis in the knee and shoulder
joints. I was as weak as a month-old kitten. Those of you who know me
or have read of me (I got a lot of "newspaper ink" over the years) can
imagine the drastic lifestyle change from being an athlete to this.

I weaned myself off the codeines with difficulty until I heard of
medical marijuana. Before, I couldn't walk a half block. Now, over a
year later, I'm much more mobile. I can no longer hunt, ski or compete
but I don't hurt as much today. Still, my joints are too painful
without medication. Not medical prescriptions; marijuana provides the
relief.

At this time, I don't yet know the outcome of the legislative bills
deciding the fate of people like me: will I be a criminal or will I
get pot legally? I have no alternative because I will not go back to
opiates.

Mavis Lorenz, Missoula