For over two years we have been covering the battle over whether to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes in the state of Pennsylvania. We have heard and told many emotional stories, researched and reported on how other states have moved forward, and chatted with parents who were giving their sick children CBD oil that was smuggled across state lines; but this was the first time we met someone who was cooking with cannabis in their kitchen.
Aggressive cancer had developed in this man’s liver and lungs. The prognosis was not good. Even with chemotherapy treatments, his doctors only gave him less than a year to live, while prescribing him high dosages of pharmaceuticals to ease symptoms and ultimately causing him not to be able to function. Without seeing any other options, a friend suggested he try using cannabis to help heal and counter his symptoms. While he wasn’t a believer, he saw no harm in trying it. For eight months he cooked, ingested, and vaped cannabis – particularly swallowing a high concentrated mixture of CBD – all while continuing his chemotherapy treatment. After eight months of this regiment, this man who asked we conceal his identity out of fear of facing charges for utilizing an illegal substance as his medicine, went for an updated CT scan and received results that surprised even his doctors. Unfortunately, those involved in treating this man were also concerned with being affiliated with an illegal substance and chose not to be a part of the story. This man and his family have become strong advocates for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, as they feel they have witnessed the powers of cannabis first hand. That is why they felt the need to speak out. They aren’t saying cannabis cured everything, or anything, but they are saying cannabis helped in the healing process during chemotherapy, unlike the prescribed medications.