Veteran advocates for medical marijuana in Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Mary Warriner served her country proudly and with a smile on her face.
That was until that life of service was interrupted in 2014 by a car wreck.
“Within about six weeks I learned I had a back injury that could not be treated and over the course of the of the next two years I went through probably over 200 injections,” she said.
Nothing seemed to work and the pain brought other things with it.
She was discharged from the Air Force and had to start over.
“One of the biggest things in my case was depression and anxiety
Desperate for relief, she was introduced to something different: CBD Oil.
It’s main ingredient is cannabis; also one of the main ingredients found in marijuana.
“For the first time in three years I was pain free,” she said.
“I cried.”
It’s a joy share with others with stories like hers.
She calls it a natural way to treat what prescription drugs can’t.
At her “Beehive Company” shop in Sulphur Springs, Indiana, she uses M&M candies to illustrate her testimony. She’s been able to decrease her medication intake by more than half.
“I can tell you that there have been a lot of tears shed in this building,” Warriner said.
“People that have PTSD have had great great success with using Cannabis to treat their symptoms.”
Another medical marijuana advocate, Heidi Harczynski stated that when her father was sick with terminal cancer CBD was the only thing that got him off the couch during his battle.
Her father Frank Harczynski lost his battle to cancer on May 28, 2017. She says she dedicates her fight to make medical marijuana legal in his honor.
“Since then I have helped a good amount of people come off many pharmaceuticals and feel so much better,” she said
Now as state lawmakers consider a bill to make medical marijuana legal, she wants to change the stigma of what some call the gateway drug.
“It’s a gateway to living again and it’s a gateway to having a normal life,” Warriner said.
Before, Indiana lawmakers decide which way they will decide, she has one request.
“Give us a chance.”
“Give us that opportunity to explore this to have this as an option.”
Legislators will decide whether they should legalize medical marijuana in their 2019 session.
Meetings kicked off Jan. 3.