Chronic Pain / Fibromyalgia

For nearly fifteen years, Shelley Harmon of Oregon depended on prescription medications to manage chronic pain, along with the depression, anxiety, and insomnia that often accompanied it. When her physician suddenly closed his practice without warning, leaving chronic pain patients scrambling for care, Shelley faced a difficult decision. Rather than seeking another doctor to continue pharmaceutical treatment, she chose a different path—one centered around cannabis.

Eight years ago, we spoke with Christine Cloutier of Florida, who had been living with degenerative disc disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and the aftermath of a double mastectomy. At the time, cannabis had become a crucial part of her pain management and overall well-being. Now, Christine returns to share how her journey has evolved—how she manages chronic pain today, the challenges she faced, and how her perspective on life has changed.

When he suffered a workplace accident more than 25 years ago, J.J. Neigemann of Illinois developed arthritis along with diabetes and high blood pressure that forced him to retire early. But when a friend introduced him to cannabis oil, it allowed him to reduce the 18 pain medications he was taking, and he says his health just got better and better.