Below are interviews with potential TN Medical Marijuana patients and information about the TN Medical Marijuana Act:
Paul
Knoxville, TN
Petit-mal Seizures Could you please tell me a bit about your illness?
My condition is one that causes me to suffer from petit-mal seizures. I was diagnosed with said condition after a head injury at work. While in the hospital I was informed that I had scar tissue on my brain, which had developed from several years of athletic training head injuries For the benefit of our readers, could you walk me through a typical day?
I suppose my average day is very similar to any other person’s average day. I hold a job, enjoy hobbies, and exercise. However, even with my prescription anti-convulsant I am prone to experience an aura at any time and often do. After experiencing an aura my mind and body require a “time out” in order to recover from the uncomfortable moments. Often, for the rest of the day I feel tired and sometimes disoriented. The experience is frightening because the severity of each new aura is unknown until it happens. When I am able to smoke marijuana on a daily basis I do not have auras. My prescription anti-convulsant causes numerous negative side effects that I experience regularly. I would much rather smoke than take the prescription since I have no negative side effects from the marijuana. Prior to your illness, were you involved in sports, school, or the community?
I used to be involved in sports but am no longer able to participate due to my condition. I successfully obtained two Bachelor degrees. If you believe Marijuana can ease your suffering, then what prevents you from smoking it? People rarely get caught.
Marijuana does ease my suffering and I do smoke it as often as I am able to procure it. It is a shame that I am made out to be a criminal for trying to ease my suffering in a way that hurts no one. Due to the current laws it is almost impossible to obtain medical grade marijuana, which could help countless people live better lives. The state representatives that I have spoken to are against medical marijuana because synthetic THC can be obtained through Marinol. For my condition Marinol is not the answer. CBD is the lesser known agent in marijuana that relieves Epilepsy symptoms and there is no synthetic substitute. The last obstacles I will mention are the high “black market” prices on quality marijuana and the constant worry of being arrested. The criminal consequences of growing 1 Marijuana plant in Tennessee, even for Medical reasons, is a felony conviction with 1-6 years in jail and a $5,000 fine. How would this affect those around you?
This would of course be ruinous to my family’s finances, and greatly affect our future together. If I went to jail my wife would be left alone to pay expenses that are unaffordable with only one income. The ensuing hardships would cause a tremendous strain on our marriage. Not to mention my being labeled as a 'felon' would keep many doors of opportunity shut to us. Regarding the TN Medical Marijuana Act, if you had one message to our readers what would it be?
There is no doubt that there will be people who abuse medical marijuana the same as those who abuse other prescriptions. The question here is, what is more important? Should we punish the sick to protect the stupid? I really do not feel that it is the job of the government to protect us from ourselves. Those who abuse substances are going to abuse them regardless of the government’s opinion. There are many upstanding, hard working, and otherwise law-abiding members of our community whose quality of life will improve significantly with the passage of this bill. Please consider all aspects of this issue from an educated, medical, and compassionate standpoint.
Dear Making Love to Mary Jane
I'm a 51 year old grandmother of one. I have had back problems since the late 80's.I have several bulging and deteriorating disc, all in my lower back. I have had a hip replaced and 2 heart attacks. I’m bi-polar and suffer from manic depression. I’m in constant pain from my back and hip as well as fight the battle over my bi-polar and depression affliction. I draw a disability check from social security. My mobility is limited and I rely on my husband to provide my care. I lost my Tenncare along with thousands others in 2005 and had to take myself off the medication I was being prescribed for pain as I could not afford the cost of the medication. I had used marijuana to assist the medication with some degree of relief that the meds could not achieve by themselves. When the Medicare drug benefit took effect I signed up quickly, hoping to get back on the pain medicine that I had been on. I was referred to a pain management clinic in Chattanooga that is affiliated with one of the major hospitals. On my initial visit I was asked to give a urine sample, nothing out of the ordinary for a doctor’s visit. After a few minutes the doctor returned and told me that I had tested positive for marijuana and, due to recent restrictions by the state of Tennessee, that he could not write the prescriptions for my pain medication because he could lose his license. Imagine my surprise and shock to find out a medical urine sample is now a drug screen to deny medication that I badly need. Then to find out it was enforced by the state government by taking away a doctor’s license for violation. I am writing this in order to awaken people to the extreme measures being undertaken by the state government to rob us not only of medication, but also the relationship of confidentiality between a doctor and their patient! If we can no longer have the security of a doctor/patient relationship then I feel the liberty we have sacrificed for this is far too great of a price to pay to try to curb marijuana use. I have a quote from one of our greatest patriots that my husband likes. It reads: They that would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety- Benjamin Franklin
Sincerely,
D. H.
Riceville, Tennessee Bi-polar and depression
Dear Making Love to Mary Jane,
I am a 54yr. old grandmother, and I also support the efforts of NORML and people such as yourself to get marijuana use legalized. I suffer from osteoarthritis from my neck all the way down to my feet. I also suffer from depression and severe anxiety. I decided on my own not to take anymore narcotic pain meds because of the many side effects, and believe me, I suffer from pain all of the time!! I am currently being prescribed Valium, Flexeril, and Lexapro, and we all know how addictive Valium is! I have been a marijuana user off and on for over 30yrs., and I have always paid my bills, had food to eat, raised two children, and always held a job. I do not consider marijuana as a DRUG, but I feel that it should at least be legal for medicinal purposes. I still use marijuana to help with my pain, depression, and anxiety. It works better than any of the drugs that have been prescribed to me. When I told my doctor that I had lost all interest in sex he told me to use marijuana, yet, when I was arrested for possession (and it wasn't even mine), my doctor could not prescribe me any more Valium until after I went to court. He even had my picture and the article from the newspaper attatched to the inside of my medical chart!! I am at present on supervised probation for one year because I took a "best interest" plea.
I wish that I could openly do more to support the legalization of marijuana, but as it is, I am constantly being watched by the local Police Dept. I would like to write more and tell you how marijuana helped my Mother when she was dying from lung cancer, but it is almost 5:00 am, and I need to get a few things done before I have to see my PO today. I will take the time later to send that story to you, and I hope that you can use it in some way to help further your efforts, along with a story of how marijuana is the ONLY thing that keeps my 30yr. old daughter calm enough for anyone to be around her. I believe that she is Bipolar, and it is my understanding that there has been much research showing that marijuana is one of the best medicines for people that suffer with this disease.
Sincerely, Persecuted Granny
Middle Tennessee
Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis
I'm not a doctor, but could you tell me about your suffering?
I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. I also suffer from severe, recurring depression as well as high-level anxiety. I have muscle spasms that are very painful and last for days. I'm currently taking oramorph (morphine) in 30mg slow release/2-3 times a day and also a quick relief formula/15mg every 12 hours as needed. I take valium 5 mgs/4 times a day as needed to help with stress and to help me get to sleep, and methocarbamol 750mgs/three times a day.
How did you come to use Marijuana?
I used marijuana in the past first as a recreational user and then soon after I was diagnosed (finally) with fibro in 1992. I have grown my supply in the past until the penalties became too high a price for me to be willing to pay.
Tell our readers something interesting about you.
I am a 48 year old male and involved in the Indian community in our state. I serve on the Tennessee state Title VI Compliance Commission and previously have been a state Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
What other forms of medicine are you taking?
Marijuana is the only medication that has relieved my pain to any extent. The morphine serves only to take the edge off and make it bearable. I become tolerant to Valium rather quickly and either have to drop taking it at all or increase the dosage, both against doctors’ advice.
With only a few hits of smoked marijuana my spasms melted away, and I discovered that I had been in constant pain. It was only in the absence of pain that I realized this. I was also able to sleep like I hadn't in many years. Anxiety and depression were gone and I was finally able to relax enough to fall asleep and STAY asleep.
Since your discovery, has your pain decreased?
Because of the severe penalties, I have not used marijuana in many years now and have to take VA prescribed addictive opiates to find a little relief. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story.
More Information
The Memphis Flier wrote an article discussing the Tennessee Medical Marijuana Act. They have been on top of many issues that NORML supporters are interested in.
TN Medi Mari Act
Volunteer TV conducted an interview with Keller Barnette regarding medi mari. This interview is what inspired us to get more names and faces to the medi mari issue. The lead story during broadcast that night was Medical Marijuana.
Medical Marijuana Interview
Medical Marijuana Supporters
Tennessee will be considering a Medical Marijuana bill next year. However, currently there are few faces for the issue. We need people living in Tennessee whose suffering could be lessened by medical marijuana & health care professionals who believe Medical Marijuana has benefits. The best leaders of this issue will possess some of the follow qualities: good written and oral communications, willingness to potentially be on camera, public service, a group of supporters/friends, and an earnest desire to get the law passed. If you or someone you know can fill one of these shoes, contact us. Thank you for your support.
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