Pubdate: Sun, 02 May 2010
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2010 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Daniel Dias
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk.

MARIJUANA SAVED MY LIFE

Marijuana saved my life. I have been dealing with depression for a 
very long time and became suicidal earlier this year. After about 
two-and-a-half months of being on anti-depressant pills, and 
experiencing symptoms like insomnia, mania and stomach pain that were 
getting progressively worse, I started to look into alternatives, and 
a close friend of mine suggested I get off the pills and try medical cannabis.

He also insisted that a complete change of diet and lifestyle was in order.

I cut out things like caffeine, refined sugar, fast food, and soda, 
and started to eat healthy.

I also started to do more exercise to get my body in shape.

I approached my doctor with my idea, and told her I was going to wean 
myself off the prescription pills. She didn't agree that using 
marijuana was the right choice, and told me that if that was my plan 
that she could no longer treat me. Such is the level of medical help 
in Canada: Take pro-active measures to get well, and get cut off. 
Since that final appointment, I have been in contact with a 
dispensary compassion club that provides medical cannabis to 
individuals with a medical need. With the help of their fine cannabis 
products, I am now getting regular solid sleep, and wake up in the 
morning feeling refreshed, instead of lethargic.

It also relieves the anxiety attacks, and, most importantly, it helps 
with my mood, which has made facing other people and going to work easier.

Cannabis has also given me the motivation to get out of the house and 
do things to help manage the depression. I have also started going to 
talk therapy to see if I can figure out how to continue managing the 
depression, and also hopefully figure out what is causing it.

Daniel Dias

Un-Licensed Medical Marijuana User

(Legalize it, tax it, end the foolish drug war.)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom