Allister C., 23, Albany

"I am a patient, not a criminal. But I was arrested for possessing a small amount of marijuana to treat my symptoms. I have sickle cell disease, which causes crises so severe that I have to be hospitalized for weeks every year. Unlike prescriptions, marijuana works almost immediately, dulling the pain enough that I can tolerate being driven to the hospital. Marijuana also lets me use less prescription painkillers, which can damage my liver and kidneys and are incredibly addictive."

 If you are a New Yorker, please write your state senator in support of allowing medical marijuana here or call him or her here.

Back to New York's medical marijuana patients' page