SHOW ME COMPASSION ON POT

Editor:

I have been a resident of Burnaby for about 12 years. I have been
suffering with a spinal injury and multiple sclerosis for seven or
eight years. There isn't one day that goes by that I am not in pain. I
have used various medications throughout the years and most of them
make me sick.

A friend of mine brought over a joint one night, and it really helped
me relax and eased the muscle spasms so I could have a good night's
sleep. I wasn't too crazy about smoking, because I gave up cigarettes
five years ago, but if it gives me relief from the pain, I felt it was
worth it.

The next time she visited she brought cookies and other baked goods
from the Compassion Club. I tried them and they really worked for me,
despite the fact that the pain relief did not come right away. So I
now smoke when I need immediate relief, and eat a quarter or half of a
cookie at night to sleep.

I asked my GP if he would sign the papers so I can access the
Compassion Club for the marijuana I need. My doctor said "no way." But
he will continue to give me a prescription for Demerol, which I have
been using for almost four years.

I have to stop using Demerol sometimes because it make me sick. Is
having someone on a narcotic for four years a better alternative?
Shouldn't it be my choice? Instead of being allowed to access
marijuana through the Compassion Club, which I feel is safe, I am
forced to look on the streets. And we all know how dangerous that is.

I live in an apartment and don't smoke inside because the other
tenants complain it stinks up the hallway. The alternative is that I
smoke on my deck. That too has people complaining. I do not drink, I
have no children, and I have chosen this route because I believe it
helps me. Others in my building have drinking parties till all hours
of the night, but that doesn't seem to bother people.

Do I not deserve a place in our society? Maybe if they tried to put
themselves in my shoes they would understand. Please show some compassion!

Cynthia Thomas