Gary Fisher, 54, Maspeth (Queens)

"In January 1999, I was injured on the job. Since then, I have been in severe pain. I had surgery, which only helped slightly with the back pain, and which caused severe nerve damage leading to constant pain in my shins and feet. I am prescribed OxyContin, which is highly addictive, dangerous, and does not completely rid me of the pain. At the recommendation of my adult son's friend, I tried marijuana. It helps a lot with the pain and allows me to take less OxyContin. Unlike OxyContin and so many other medications, marijuana has never caused an overdose death. This treatment option should be left to patients and our doctors."

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

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