Joan Bello

I look back over the past forty years and cannot believe where marijuana has led me. I was always rebellious and wanted everything to be fair. When I was thirty, with already a divorce and two children, I discovered the benefits of marijuana. I couldn't explain them at that time although I spent lots of hours trying to understand how a simple plant could make me feel so much better - in every way. I was kinder, smarter, more limber, more compassionate and since I gave up alcohol and took to marijuana - those horrible migraines were gone! My son was six and had epilepsy and no medicine helped him. There was no internet then, so my husband and I had to search and drive for some information on alternative help. Somewhere, in some gloriously fated book - it said marijuana could help my child. Wow!! that was in the early 70's. No one even said the word "marijuana" out loud. That little rebellious streak that wanted everything fair must have taken me over - or not. As I remember it - it was so very natural to share with my son - even if he was just six. It took time, I studied Yoga diligently - and learned about how this wondrous plant benefits us so easily - and how it cured my son - helped my soul, my husband, our understanding. It also sent us to jail .. a whole other story! but mostly it gave me a deep abiding feeling of validity. I am indebted to marijuana for teaching me to be brave which is very necessary if you stand up for fairness.