RECEIVER OF PRESCRIPTION POT TELLS HIS STORY

BOOK REVIEW

The government grows medical marijuana on a farm at the
University of Mississippi.

Five people in the United States are allowed to smoke this product
legally.

George McMahon is one of these people. He suffers from a rare genetic
disorder called Nail Patella Syndrome which, among other things,
affects his bones, kidneys and mobility.

Smoking marijuana helps him deal with the pain and other effects of
these health problems.

In fact, McMahon receives 300 pre-rolled medical marijuana cigarettes
from the government.

In "Prescription Pot: A Leading Advocate's Heroic Battle to Legalize Medical
Marijuana,"

he talks about his life and travel around the country advocating this
medical marijuana program.

"I tried to write an informative book with no hysterics, no 'it's your
fault,'" McMahon said. "I just tried to give a good description of
what the problem is."

The book tells many first-person accounts of how the government and
medical establishment deal with medicinal marijuana use. There also
are many facts in it, such as the ones at the beginning of this story.

The book's content may take you by surprise because it's a candid look
into McMahon's life. And though this is a serious topic, it's told in
a light-hearted, interesting way.

There are even moments in the book where you forget what it's written
about, such as a trip to Graceland.

Anyone who hasn't formed an opinion yet on whether pot should be used
for medical purposes should read the book.

McMahon and writer/friend Christopher Largen spent approximately two
years putting the book together.

Because McMahon's fingers are somewhat debilitated from his disease,
Largen recorded and typed out the book.

Largen said in an interview that many authors had approached McMahon,
wanting to write a book about him.

They wanted to portray him as some sort of American hero, a title he
has been trying to buck.

So, McMahon wasn't going to let just anyone tell his
story.

"It took Chris (Largen) a year to get to know me so I was comfortable
enough with him," McMahon said from his home in Texas.

"When it all happened to you, it's hard to put that all out there. I
had to sit back and read it like it was a new book when it was done,
not a book about me."

Since "Prescription Pot" came out this month, response has been mostly
positive.

These days, he will take any help he can. McMahon now has to rely on
other people, such as Largen, to continue his fight in legalizing
marijuana, which is chronicled in his book.

This involves traveling around the country speaking at universities
and to members of the government in hopes of reforming medical
marijuana laws.

All of this work has worn out not only McMahon and his wallet but
other personal belongings as well.

"I've worn out about six vehicles in the last 10 years," he
said.

In addition to his travels, the book tells about how he has to drive
to Iowa, his home state where his doctor is located, every four months
in order to get his prescription marijuana.

The epilogue of the book says that recently the medical marijuana
patients received marijuana with a lower level of THC, the chemical
with medicinal benefits. This was explained in a letter attached to
each patient's allotted amount.

Because of this decrease, McMahon's mobility has also taken a
nosedive, requiring him to give up traveling for the time being.

Largen has become his right hand man since then. In conversation, it's
easy to tell he's done his homework. He also has no doubt that one day
marijuana will be legal for medicinal use -- he's just not sure when.

It's because of this confidence that he pushed the book project
along.

"It's important to humanize this topic, give it a face," Largen said.
"There is this gap that exists, and we needed to bring people into the
bubble with the boy."

But though others have picked up some of the slack, it doesn't mean
McMahon will give up his work in getting medical marijuana legalized.

"I'm an American; we stick out both hands, grab hold and remedy the
problem," he said.