Druutopia

It was later in life while living in Europe for a few years and after an accident that kept my movement restricted and going to the doctors office once a month to refill my prescription for a strong Narcotic. Although the doctor kept prescribing this medication to me I was always warned, “You need to live with the pain, this is not good for your system.” Being the compliant person I am I stopped taking the medication. I was now in my late 20’s and was the young guy that people thought was rude for taking the motorized carts in grocery stores. “He’s in his 20’s why doesn’t he let someone use it that really needs it.”

At the time I befriended a German Doctor that asked me if I have tried Marijuana for my pain. Of course I said to him, “it is illegal and I will not put me and my family in jeopardy when there is other medication that I can take.”

He quickly invited me to a trip to Amsterdam. He did a lot of planning that he wanted me and my family to do while we were there. I remember talking to him and thinking to myself, “Wow he is going to have fun with my family. There is no way I will ever be able to do all of this.” I had images of me sitting in the Hotel room and hearing great stories from my daughters about what they did that day.

When we got there the first night he asked my wife if I could tag along with him and his friend that night for a couple of hours. He took me straight to a coffee shop and insisted that I buy my first legal joint. After the first puff of smoke hit my lungs I could feel that my legs were now tingling and warm instead of aching and in pain. My back was a dull ache instead of a sharp pain. I will admit it was 14 years after I quit my marijuana stage in my life and I continued to smoke. I had a little to much. On the other hand after we left there we walked around the city of Amsterdam for 2 and a half hours enjoying the sites until my friend said, “Do you need to sit for awhile?” I realized that here I was walking around this whole time and although I could feel the ache in my back and legs I have not felt the need to sit down. I have been enjoying a nice long walk though an European City. On the way back to the Hotel room that night he stopped by the coffee shop again and purchased some Brownies and cookies for me.

All week I would wake up and either eat a cookie or meet him at the coffee shop and I would get myself a cup of Marijuana brewed tea. I had the best vacation in years. I went to an amusement park and was able to chase my kids around. I went to an aquarium and didn’t have to stop every other display. My friend even went to the point of watching my kids while me and my wife went out a couple of nights to see the night life of Amsterdam. It was unbelievable the relief I had. I now questioned all I was taught about Marijuana.

My story is not a happy ending, it is not unusual either. I am now living back in the United States of America, accepting a position here in New York where Marijuana is Decriminalized but still illegal. Living next to a state that allows Marijuana use for medical purposes. Back on dangerous Narcotics even though most the doctors I deal with say Marijuana would benefit me. I am not allowed to use this medication because once again I am not going to put my family in a dangerous situation.