In 1992, Walter Simon underwent open-heart surgery to repair two valves affected by a murmur. Five years later, Walter was diagnosed with mouth cancer. His doctors removed the tumor, but Walter suffered a relapse. Walter was depressed and suffered severe appetite loss during his recovery from surgery. Marinol -- the synthetic THC pill -- was among the many drugs his doctor prescribed to treat him, though it proved ineffective. He then tried medical marijuana, which improved his appetite, helped ease his anxiety, and allowed him to sleep better. Walter worked most of his life as a radio and television broadcaster (including a stint reporting on the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962) and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Here is Walter’s stirring television ad that helped to pass the medical marijuana law in Montana.
