The number one use for medical marijuana in the United States is for chronic pain. Opponents of medical cannabis say that “chronic pain” is a cop-out that people use as an excuse to get some legal weed and get high.

While it’s true that anyone can say they are in pain – in the end, only the person suffering knows just how much – it’s also true that tens of millions of Americans live with daily pain. It’s very real and it affects multiple aspects of their lives, if not every aspect.

Cannabis works well for pain. Studies have shown this and millions of cannabis users can attest to it. And among those millions are many who have to medicate illegally; people like KCchuck5.

The Marijuana Times: What ailments do you use cannabis to treat? How do these ailments affect your daily life?

KCchuck5: In 2000, I sustained multiple fractures in my lower right leg and lower left arm. I have pins and screws and metal bars holding them together. These physical ailments have led to a lot of discomfort and pain especially after walking or doing any kind of manual labor or repetitive motions with my leg or arm.

MT: What were you told about cannabis growing up?

KC: Growing up I was discouraged from using any drugs since my uncle and godfather had been murdered by his girlfriend while on a drug fueled binge. In school we were taught marijuana was called the gateway drug and would surely led to abuse of it and other drugs such as crack, meth, PCP and/or heroin.

MT: What do you have to go through to obtain the cannabis you use and how does it make you feel to have to rely on the illegal market?

KC: A couple of phone calls and I am usually able to find the kind of buds I like which in drug slang terms is called LOUD. “Loud” is the best buds, one hit and quit stuff; seedless, mostly stem-less and it runs about 20 bucks a gram; sometimes 15, sometimes 25. But since I live in the middle of the country those prices are reasonable as long as the quality is supreme.

MT: What is your preferred method of cannabis ingestion and why?

KC: I usually use a one hitter bat at home when by myself. It keeps the smell to a minimum and saves bud by not having it constantly burning like in a joint or blunt. But when out with friends and socially smoking, I prefer smoking a fat blunt because I enjoy the taste and the right blunt will burn slowly.

MT: How is your life different now that you have found cannabis?

KC: I am not as anxious, not as depressed, not in pain constantly. My life is a lot better with cannabis in it.

MT: What prescription drugs, if any, were you able to stop using because of cannabis? How does cannabis work better than the prescriptions?

KC: Vicodin, morphine, Paxil, Seroquel. Cannabis works a lot better because side effects are minimal and it is cheaper and it is used as needed instead of having to take a pill every day for a month so it can build up in your system.

MT: What strains have you found to be helpful to your specific aliment?

KC: I’m not well versed on strains, but I enjoy an intense high that is calming. Meaning I like it strong and mood altering and just on the verge of making me useless. I mean being useless is fun sometimes but I prefer cannabis that I feel like doing stuff on, not just sitting around.

MT: Have you had any encounters with law enforcement over your cannabis use?

KC: I currently have a misdemeanor in Warrenton in Kansas for less than a gram of cannabis, literally crumbs in the corner of an old baggie that was shoved into a seam of my pants. The cop pulled me over and searched and found it.

MT: Are you involved in any sort of activism in your area or state?

KC: No.

MT: Have you ever thought about moving to another state to gain better access to medical cannabis?

KC: Yes, every day.

MT: How important is it to you that legalization comes to your state?

KC: It is one of the most important things I hope to see in my lifetime. Hopefully soon. It would benefit me and others I know greatly.

Are you a medical marijuana patient who medicates illegally? I want to tell your story (anonymously, if you prefer)! Email me at stonerjesus420@gmail.com and I’ll send you our set of questions.

Your story could help others in the same situation and help spread the truth about the amazing abilities of the cannabis plant! Help me spread the word!