



Don Durban has been using opioids for years to cope with chronic pain in his feet from diabetic swelling. He also once sought out the drugs to help with symptoms of pancreatitis.





But the Vancouver man and many others are now using cannabis as an alternative means to alleviate symptoms.Mr. Durban, 66, said the herb has been an “awesome painkiller," especially in its edible form. “They helped cut back on my Dilaudid [an opioid] use when I was getting that prescribed.”



