Big Daddy's business: The pot boom helps grow-shops grow

[marmar]

from the Detroit Metro Times:



Big Daddy's business
The pot boom helps grow-shops grow

By Larry Gabriel
Published: October 20, 2010


Anyone who thinks medical marijuana is just a nudge-and-wink cover for pushing legalization should speak with Rick Ferris, who has all the fervor and sincerity of a man who got a second chance in life.

As Ferris tells it, he worked in construction for 20-plus years, about 13 of those as a foreman pouring concrete floors, pillars and other industrial applications. In 2001, he injured his right foot, which led to deep-vein thrombosis (a blood clot) in his leg. Ferris then developed lymph edema, a painful condition of the lymphatic system that causes localized retention of fluids and tissue swelling, in his leg.

"I have pain in my hip, knee and ankle," Ferris says. "My one leg probably weighs 120 pounds; the other leg probably weighs 40 pounds."

Ferris couldn't work after his accident. He was mostly bedridden and says he was taking 120 Vicodin and 60 Xanax, powerful pain and anxiety medications, each month. He was living in a daze. Already a big man — his nickname is Big Daddy — Ferris' weight doubled to 600 pounds. Because of his size he was prescribed larger doses of the drugs than normal. When the Michigan Marihuana Act took effect Dec. 4, 2008, Ferris' doctor suggested he try pot as medication and wrote a recommendation. Ferris applied for a state card and received it.

"I'm not taking any Vicodin or Xanax now," says Ferris. "I lost 250 pounds. I don't lie around in bed no more. It saved my life. That's why I do what I do now. Every penny I have is used to make sure this law stays for people that need it." .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://metrotimes.com/columns/big-daddy-s-business-1.1051135

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, marmar.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. knr

[Mnemosyne]

3. Good story. The drug "war" is the crime. Thanks marmar! knr n/t