Written by With the Opioid Crisis claiming more and more lives by the day, Cannabis has stepped in to play as one of the best ways to treat and beat pain. Patients from all over the globe have turned to various forms of the Cannabis plant to handle the hurdles they face in life. 52-year-old Cav Jones of Topeka Kansas found himself in need of the plant in a major way after an incident on an oil rig 16 years ago that broke his back and put him in a wheelchair.
John Hopkins University recently reported that over 100 million Americans seek medical treatment for pain every year – making it also the top reason people become addicted to both pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs. Cav sat down with Mike’s Medicines and told us about his story and how the plant has changed his life for the better.
How did you find out about medicinal cannabis or CBD? “I grew up in the 70s with a lot of hippies so I knew about cannabis from a young age. I learned about it as a medication when it was being used for cancer patients and other terminal illnesses.”
What are you treating, can you tell me how the health issue affects you? ” I use it for chronic pain due to an oil rig accident 16 years ago. 68 tons of pipe fell on me causing 4 compound fractures in my left leg/ankle. Over 8 years I had 26 surgeries, with rod and pins installed but complications arose and I had the hardware removed while also fighting cellulitis, MRSA, necrosis, and severe nerve damage.
As well, I spent 6 years in a wheelchair. The original accident also broke my back, but it is my leg that plagues me the most as well as depression from such a major life change.”
How do you use cannabinoid medicine? What types and any dosing information that you’d like to share: “I use THC-infused gummies, tincture, butter, and Concentrated Cannabis Oil or FECO – some call it RSO.”
What type of reaction do you get from friends, family, coworkers? Have you had any interesting experiences in relation to that? “I have been very fortunate in that my family and friends have been helpful and understanding. When more people learn about Cannabis, it makes it easier on others.”
Did you take pharmaceutical medications – if so, has cannabis decreased this? “I used to see a pain management doctor and was prescribed Flexeril, Gabapentin, and Loratabs.
I was on very high doses, several times per day- 6 a day for the pain pills, for over a decade. Cannabis has helped me safely wean off of all of them.”
What else would you like to share about your journey? “While on traditional medication, I was frequently sick, and despite the high doses, I was still in pain. The pain affected my sleep and moods, causing me to be irritable and impatient.
I’m now on herbal medicine my sleep, moods, and even my relationships with my family and friends have improved.”
What advice would you give to those considering trying out plant medicine like this, but waiting to get more information? “Please be sure to do a lot of research and reading. As more and more states legalized cannabis there is more information available from reputable sources.”
How is your life now after you’ve discovered how to heal/treat yourself differently. Has your activity level increased? “It’s taken a bit of trial and error, but I have been able to find specific strains to make a daytime medicine so I can be up and around during the day and another medicine for bedtime so I can sleep well.
The changes have helped me spend more quality time with my family as well as helped me lessen my depression so I can enjoy my hobbies again.”
What myth about Cannabis do you believe needs to be squashed? “Cannabis edibles are safer than alcohol and cigarettes and are more effective than many prescription medications for several diseases, conditions, and illnesses.”
If you could send a message, any message, to the world – what would it be? “Cannabis saved me from a life shortened by opioid pain medication, and depression, it has so many medical benefits for so many conditions which would literally save countless lives.
The financial rewards, in the form of tax revenue which would solve governmental budget shortcomings to fund many necessary public services on local and federal levels, plus adding cash flow to the global economy.
Dispensaries, growers, and research groups would also add many needed employment opportunities.”
In my own Cannabis journey, the pain was always something that needed to be treated. For many of us, the instant gratification that pharmaceuticals gave to treat chronic pain at first seemed like a dream come true – and quickly that changes into a habit that most never wanted in their quest to control pain from injuries or illnesses.
The relegalization of cannabis 25 years ago in California, along with multiple states following suit as well, has allowed numerous patients a choice other than using addictive substances in their treatment of chronic pain. This has yet to allow a decrease in the mortality rates of those using opioids due to the sheer number of people in pain that have yet to gain access to our precious cannabis plant.
Many are hoping for a federal end to the prohibition of Cannabis in America that will allow safe access all over the nation, and eventually the world.
–Mike Robinson, Cannabis Patient and Founder Global Cannabinoid Research Center
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