Students consider marijuana to cure chronic pain

Two students consider the pros and cons of medical marijuana to try and treat their chronic pain after getting into accidents.

Two students consider medical marijuana to help with their chronic pain.

Student Bruce Lin was riding his motorcycle when a dog jumped into the middle of the road from behind a parked car. He swerved to miss the dog and crashed into another parked car.

Months earlier, Katie Farland was driving her Jeep on Highway 36 during rush hour. Her car was at a complete stop waiting in traffic, when another car slammed into her going 65 miles per hour. The other driver was talking on a cell phone and the crash ended up causing a five-car pileup.

Both students were badly injured; Bruce dislocated his knee, and Katie suffered from severe whiplash, effecting her neck and back. After numerous trips to the doctor, both were frustrated with their chronic pain.

Bruce’s doctor initially gave him the option of drugs or medical marijuana to ease the pain. He decided to try medical marijuana and hasn’t looked back since. “It’s awesome, it’s effective, and ya know health wise I prefer it to any hard medication,” Bruce Lin said.

On the other hand, Katie wants to try a variety of treatments before trying medical marijuana. She has already received an MRI, a cat scan, muscle relaxers, Vicadin, chiropractic car, STEM (electromagnetic shock), and massage session.

Unfortunately her chronic pain still remains. She is now considering trying to get her registry ID card for medical marijuana; however, she fears the criticism of friends and family. “If half of my family knew I was doing medical marijuana, they’d be like Katie your crazy,” Katie said.

As of July 2009, over 11 thousand residents in Colorado possess valid medical marijuana registry ID cards. There are over 30 medical marijuana dispensaries located in Colorado.