Maryland Division of Corrections, on a 20 year retirement. Because of my 5 years of Naval service I was able to apply that to my state service. I retired on 01 FEB 2001. I was able to do 15 years.

In mid 2001, at the urging of my, then, fiancé, took a job at Weis Market, stocking shelves at night. Bear with me. Taking these jobs helped lead to my current physical ailments. In 1999, two years prior to my retirement, I underwent cervical fusion surgery. I really shouldn’t have taken those jobs. In late JAN 2002 it was determined I’d need corrective neck surgery. At any rate I did this for another 2-1/2 years, with 2 neck surgeries in between, still eventually going back to stocking.

In mid 2005 my back really started giving me fits moreso than just a backache. MRI revealed L-4/S-1 problems, which resulted in my having lower back surgery. It was prior to surgery I applied for SSDI. I figured with all I’d gone through my application would be but a formality. Well I figured wrong. Two denials and almost two years later I received my disability.

My attorney told me I was pretty lucky, beings I was only, at the time 48.

For the last 25 years I’ve been in some kind of narcotic pain reliever. Since 2003 I’ve been on OxyContin 80mg X 2 a day. Those, and the Percocet 7.5’s, are substances I hope to get off of. My reason for this rambling, long winded, letter is to ask this; does anyone believe medical cannabis could help me ween myself off these things? Or have I been on them too long? I do know quitting, cold turkey, is not an option. Despite Nancy Reagan and her precious “Just Say No” idiocy! Oh and sorry for my ramblings. Thank You & Good Night.🤪🧐🤔😀