AIDS by John

[Julie Gardener]

AIDS by John​

I have worked in the addiction business since 1992 and was into helping people achieve total abstinence. I was drug- free for almost 12 years -my drug of choice was (and is) marijuana. I relapsed on the weed in 1998 and stopped again in 1999, just before being diagnosed with AIDS. I started the anti-retrovirals treatment in Oct. '99 and managed to stay off the weed until Apr. '99, at which time I was diagnosed with PCP pneumonia and had to take a whole whack of Septra DS along with the anti-retrovirals. My opinion (and I am a health care worker who continues to help people with addiction issues) has changed regarding marijuana as a medicinal agent. Medicinal marijuana has helped me continue to function and work full-time. The weed has helped minimize the constant nausea I feel, has helped me maintain my weight (why wait until you're cachexic?), and has stopped me from feeling the awful "buzz" the medications give. I believe that I have the right to smoke marijuana in order to feel well.

Source: Comments and Observations

 

[holidaysmoke]

I have been + for 14 years been smoking about a year hated it before my drug was meth. But I started hep c treatment and man thank god I cleared it but the side affects from all the pills and injection has made a permanent affect. medical marijuana saved my life and still is I have been able to stop all kinds of meds just by smoking. If you know of how I can get involved in both advocating for HIV and medical marijuana together please let me know. Thank you

 

[GreenJini]

Somebody asked about advocacy for MMJ/HIV - if you're in a medical state, why not put feelers out for starting a group at your local dispensary?

 

[shadowman]

Contact your local Normal chapter, they can put you to work spreading the good word.