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Angelic Garza-Cisneros

Patient:

Angelic Garza-Cisneros.

Age:

32.

Condition/Illness:

Chronic pain, migraines and anxiety.

Home:

Daly City.

Using medical cannabis since:

Published

on

Patient:

Angelic Garza-Cisneros.

Age:

32.

Condition/Illness:

Chronic pain, migraines and anxiety.

Home:

Daly City.

Using medical cannabis since:

2001.

 

WHY DID YOU START USING MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

I was jogging about 10 years ago when I was hit by a drunk driver. I was pregnant at the time, and ended up losing the baby over the accident. I was on so many pills because of my pain and surgeries, and I couldn’t walk for two months. I was almost a complete invalid. Eventually I found a doctor that prescribed cannabis to me to help me.

 

DID YOU TRY OTHER METHODS OR TREATMENTS BEFORE MARIJUANA?

I was on Vicodin, Ativan, Ambien and gabapentin. I was able to quit using all that because of cannabis, but a court order has forced me back on those pills. I’m taking them again, now and I’m paying $200 a month. When I was growing my own medicine, I didn’t have to spend anything. They make me groggy and I can barely sleep. I also hate the side effects. I am so upset that the law has forced me back on prescription drugs.

 

WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE OR PROBLEM FACING MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS IN CALIFORNIA?

There are people out there who are really trying to use the system to keep cannabis illegal and keep people drugged up on something other than this natural medicine. I have recently had many legal difficulties. I almost lost my children over the issue.

I started growing my own medicine, since you are allowed to according to the law. I got busted by a drug task force over it. Even though I kept my medicine locked up, the authorities are still currently charging me with two felonies, one of which is over possession. I didn’t give my children anything, but I was accused of child endangerment.

The judge in the case told me that I had to quit using cannabis and go back on all of the drugs I was on.

 

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT MARIJUANA AS MEDICINE?

I’m just a single parent, self-employed, and I just want to stay out of trouble. I’m a patient and activist, I’m a good parent and I used my medicine for 10 years without any problems. My own doctor wrote a report recommending that I used cannabis, and that should be proof enough to anyone. God gave us this gift to use, and I’m proud that I work with a lot of different advocacy groups that help people.

 

Our “Profiles in Courage” features are intended to highlight the problems—and solutions—that medical marijuana patients face every day.

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