Submitted by Marie-Eve V. from Québec, Canada

I am 46 years old from Québec, Canada, born with Spina Bifida. I've been diagnosed with Hyponatremia, anemia and now my body rejects all nutrients from all sources.

I couldn't move, I couldn’t sleep, and I was filled with hate and anger

Being hungry all the time intensifies aggressiveness and hate toward myself and others. Since childhood, I have often remained within the walls of hospitals while my cousins ​​lived carefree youths. My dream of becoming a chef, fueled by the inspiration of Sister Angèle, never had the opportunity to flourish.

The food in the institutions was tasteless and disgusting, which led me to refuse to eat, often for entire days, unless I was brought a snack. The staff compensated for this with Ensure and IV fluids. Still, this replacement diet had lasting consequences: today, I am unable to eat normally without nausea, vomiting, and a constant lack of appetite.

The health system, supposed to protect me

Actually disempowered me and deprived me of my own ability to find solutions to improve my problems.

In this healthcare system, I have met wonderful people who tried to help me, but also people devoid of humanity. I was shocked to see medical staff relentlessly attack me without providing the care needed by other patients. I could have stayed home, cooked, and used medical Cannabis, but I was denied this.

Learning this truth decades later made me confront the irreparable waste of time and energy. I am ready to start the process again to gain more autonomy, but I refuse to be patronized by professionals. Although this difficult journey deeply wounded me and separated me from my loved ones, it also allowed me to find love and develop a resilience I wouldn't have had without these trials. I forgive, but I don't forget.

Surviving, not thriving—until everything changed 

I lived on a rotating door of medications and treatments: morphine, Dilaudid, Imipramine, Seroquel, various painkillers, fentanyl during hospital stays, pills for stomach issues, and multiple types of laxatives. I was also on lifelong IV therapies, including iron, potassium, and antibiotics, along with prescribed Ensure for nutrition. 

The side effects were overwhelming—constant drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, digestive pain, dizziness, numbness, disorientation, communication challenges, mood swings, and complete loss of appetite. I took nearly everything they gave me, even when it only added to my suffering. 

I was never comfortable; deep down, I always felt I could get better results on my own, through Cannabis and by learning to cook for myself. I followed doctors' protocol for 39 years before finally making the shift. For most of that time, I was locked in a constant battle with my doctors and healthcare providers. But now, thanks to the healing power of Cannabis and becoming my own health advocate, our relationship is finally based on mutual respect, and for the first time, I feel like I’m truly living.

It wasn’t until I took my health into my own hands 

I've been on medication, I took Ensure, I've been on IV treatment all my life, and nothing works. I was struggling with the side effects of all the medication and unnecessary procedures I’ve been through. I was never comfortable; I always felt I could have better results on my own by using Cannabis and learning to cook for myself.

I did this for 39 years before turning to Cannabis.

Learning to cook for myself and turning to medical Cannabis, everything changed.
I was always in a fight with my doctors and other healthcare workers. The relationship is now based on mutual respect.

Finding my Cannabis mentors, finding myself 

Through the multiple resources I found on the internet, I met Reneé Leonard, Michelle Diston, Michelle Crawford, Healer, Dr Sulak, and Cannabis Cheri. I was able to educate myself on how to properly use Cannabis. Their guidance helped me understand how to properly use Cannabis to support my body, something no prescription ever did.

With their education and encouragement, I was able to safely eliminate painkillers, Seroquel, antibiotics, IV treatments, and even Imipramine, which I had taken for decades. I still face daily challenges, and my disability makes it harder to do everything on my own—but I now have tools, confidence, and a path that honors my body. For the first time, I don’t feel powerless—I feel like I’m finally getting my life back.

Yes, I fought all my youth to gain access to medical Cannabis

Because at a young age, I was aware of the medical benefits of using Cannabis. I understood the power of using Cannabis when I learned about the straight edge movement. I understood that just doing what's best for my health was my way to be straight edge and the use of Cannabis seems better than all the medication and procedures I had to endure.

Dosing with Intention is what keeps me well

I’m not equipped to do this alone, and my disability makes it harder to manage everything by myself, but I’ve learned how to work with what I have. Dosing with intention is what truly keeps me well. I now have access to THC, CBG, and CBD, and I follow a 1:1:1 ratio every three hours. I rotate between edibles, oils, gummies, and also have access to FECO and tinctures, even if I need help using them. It’s not always easy, but having a plan that works with my body, rather than against it, has made all the difference.

I was feeling hopeless, suicidal

I don't know my family because I was far away from them all the time, and I was barely mobile. At my lowest point, doctors offered me medical assisted death, which is legal in Canada…a path I refused.

Medical Cannabis has offered me

A stability that traditional medications never could. It allows me to reconnect with my passion for cooking and the life I thought I had lost. Today, I choose to bring my soul back to life. A depleted soul is dangerous, but a soul that chooses to be amazed again, to believe in a better tomorrow, becomes powerful. And I cultivate this power every single day.

It's still hard to manage my emotions but my quality of life has improved. I love the smell of food cooking in my apartment. I’ve regained mobility, and I've even received my doctor’s approval to begin the process of obtaining my driver’s license. I already ride an electric wheelchair, and I’m doing many things on my own that I never thought were possible. While there are still evaluations to complete and steps to take before the license becomes official, just having that paper signed in March 2025 felt like reclaiming a part of my independence.

This is Marie-Eve's personal story and not meant to be medical advice. It is for informational purposes.

To work with a medical Cannabis professional, please visit our directory of coaches, educators, and medical professionals. Everyone's Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is different; good results start with the right approach. You don't have to figure it out on your own.

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