Chuck

Sherburne, NY

Chuck suffers from chronic pain from fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. As a result of his illnesses, he has had 13 major orthopedic surgeries and has been prescribed myriad prescription drugs, including OxyContin and Roxicodone.

Chuck has suffered severe side effects from opioid therapy, including incessant vomiting, and has lost over a hundred pounds since he started treatment. The nausea and vomiting make it hard for him to eat and swallow his medicine. Medical marijuana helps stimulate his appetite and ease his nausea. He explains, “All of the narcotics have turned me into a vomiting mess. Medical marijuana helps me manage my pain without all of the negative side effects. ”

Since medical marijuana is not legal, Chuck and his wife often worry about getting in trouble with the law. His wife does not want him to use medical marijuana and risk arrest even though it is the only thing that provides him with relief.

If medical marijuana does not become legal soon, Chuck and his wife will have to leave New York for one of the neighboring states where he can use medical marijuana legally. He says, “We will leave as soon as my son graduates school. We would hate to do this since our whole family is here in New York.”