Intros From stigma to script – my medical cannabis journey

[Lozbunnz]

Hi folks,

Just wanted to drop a quick hello and share a bit of my journey. I’ve been using cannabis for 12 years now—initially out of sheer desperation when nothing else touched the pain or cleared the fog in my head. I’d always been anti-drugs, to be honest. But when a friend handed me that first BMJ (back when I didn’t even know what a grinder was), it wasn’t about getting “high”—it was about feeling functional for the first time in forever.

It wasn’t a magic fix—pain still existed, thoughts still raced—but something shifted. The sharp edges dulled. My thoughts untangled. And for once, I didn’t feel like I was drowning in my own body.

Fast forward to September 2024, when I saw Dr Sinovich and officially began my legal medical cannabis journey. That peace of mind? Game-changer. Since then, I’ve had a few follow-ups, tweaked strains, and yes—still learning to love the “green smoothie” taste from my vape. Some strains definitely taste like I’ve been licking a houseplant, but hey, we adapt!

Cannabis isn’t one-size-fits-all, and I respect that. But for me, it’s been a life-raft. I never got the infamous “couch lock”—even before going legal—just this sense of being settled. And now that I’m legal, I’ve been signing every petition I can get my hands on, especially those for growing your own as a medical patient.

I’ve spent most of my life without much of a voice. But now that I’ve got one—and the strength to use it—I’m here to connect, to share, and to maybe help others who are still feeling unheard.

Looking forward to getting to know you all.
Ana

Hi Ana! It's great to meet you. Everyone here tries hard to be welcoming, and it's so refreshing after decades of having to hide and the shame associated with that.

You're right that the vape tastes a bit like a ''green smoothie'' Did you notice any other differences between medical and black market cannabis?

 

[AnaKelly]

Hey @Lozbunnz

Thanks so much for the lovely welcome! It really is such a relief to be in a space where you don’t have to carry the shame or hide your journey. That part hit home hard.

So yes—over the last 12 years leading up to getting my medical prescription, it was very hit or miss. I did the full carpark deal experience. I had the “wet” stuff you had to dry on a radiator—classic BM trauma! Honestly, I never once had anything that was properly bone dry back then.

Now with medical, it’s a completely different game. Some strains are so dry you put it in the grinder and ask yourself, "Where did it just go?" Haha! I’ve had those pricey Cali tins in the past—probably the closest I ever got to feeling genuinely “high”—but that was years ago during the peak of the Cali hype.

Generally speaking, the medical side has been okay. The quality’s consistent, those little Boveda packs definitely help, and I’m just grateful to have access. To get the same £5–£6/g price in the BM, I’d have had to spend a fortune upfront and take a ton of risks.

So yeah—here’s to this legal journey. Hopefully one day the UK moves toward decriminalisation. I’m not saying it should be a free-for-all, but for those who genuinely need it, it’s absolutely invaluable.

 

[Lozbunnz]

Hey @Lozbunnz

Thanks so much for the lovely welcome! It is such a relief to be in a space where you don’t have to carry the shame or hide your journey. That part hit home hard.

So yes—over the last 12 years leading up to getting my medical prescription, it was very hit or miss. I did the full car park deal experience. I had the “wet” stuff you had to dry on a radiator—classic BM trauma! Honestly, I never once had anything that was properly bone dry back then.

Now with medical, it’s a completely different game. Some strains are so dry you put it in the grinder and ask yourself, "Where did it just go?" Haha! I’ve had those pricey Cali tins in the past—probably the closest I ever got to feeling genuinely “high”—but that was years ago during the peak of the Cali hype.

Generally speaking, the medical side has been okay. The quality’s consistent, those little Boveda packs definitely help, and I’m just grateful to have access. To get the same £5–£6/g price in the BM, I’d have had to spend a fortune upfront and take a ton of risks.

So yeah—here’s to this legal journey. Hopefully one day the UK moves toward decriminalisation. I’m not saying it should be a free-for-all, but for those who genuinely need it, it’s absolutely invaluable.

Haha! The hayweed seems to be a very common experience, it's because growers are impatient, and they don't properly dry or cure their bud before moving it on to their consumer.

I've also noticed how dry the weed is. I think it's even on the ''slightly too dry'' side of things but that's all to taste and you're right the boveda fixes that up. I don't know about you, but MC has been far better at controlling my symptoms than any black market stuff, even the higher-end products? Which @GrownHealth said might happen last week. It's awesome.

I'm glad you're here and you've come as far as you have! You should be proud.

 

[AnaKelly]

Hey @Lozbunnz

You're absolutely right—medical cannabis has been a lifeline, even if nothing ever fully gets rid of the pain. I’ve been in hospital and had fentanyl before… and even then, the pain was still mostly there—just masked by the fact my brain was floating off somewhere in lala land. It might have made me care less in the moment, but it’s definitely not something I’d want to rely on outside of post-op recovery in hospital. That was more than enough!

Back to M.C. though—yeah, generally speaking the quality is miles better, and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it right now. I’m still fighting my own NHS health journey, waiting on answers and being bounced around. Until then, medical cannabis is the only thing giving me any real relief or stability.

I’ve noticed some of the prices starting to drop too, which is really promising—so I’m definitely going to be keeping an eye on that in the near future.

Thanks again, hun. Your kindness means a lot.
Here’s to brighter days ahead… the future’s bright, the future’s green!