I have been on medical cannabis since 2015. Prior to that I was using NSAIDs daily, with the occasional use of Tylenol 3. I personally don’t like opioids for me and the over 3 years of daily NSAID use, in addition to damaging my liver, really was no longer effective for my pain. Once I started on the cannabis, I stopped the regular use of any other pain meds, except when travelling outside of Canada. It helped me manage the pain quite well but I was limited to vaping for the first 2 years until they made the oils legal too. I currently use CBD oil 4 times daily as the prescribing doctor told me it’s cumulative and must be in my system consistently to give the full benefit. I do also vape flower as this provides immediate pain relief when it’s really bad, helps me fall asleep and honestly, it also helps the mood. Like so many of us here, I also suffer from insomnia. The nighttime cannabis oil I use really helps with that. Nice thing is that it is not addictive, derived from a natural plant, therefore not synthetic, and there seem to be no long term health risks associated with it.
Here’s the downside: You will not get relief for the fatigue when using cannabis. The pain relief has been pretty good overall but now almost 5 years later, using cannabis exclusively for the pain has lost some efficacy. But in fairness, my pain has increased over the years too. I’m now trying low dose naltrexone (LDN) in the hopes I can reduce my use of cannabis and to provide more pain relief. You build a tolerance to cannabis over time, therefore needing more to get results. It’s also quite costly. My CBD oil alone cost $100 per 50 ml and I use 4 ml per day.
Overall, I have had positive results with using medical cannabis to manage pain and sleep. Good luck 😉

I agree being sick of pharmaceutical medications. I read a report that they are claiming MJ has side effects and dangers yet unknown. To me that is the pharmaceutical companies trying to scare people into staying away from it. I believe the medications have more side effects and harm to our bodies than MJ ever would. I have heard of some people on here finding MJ help them to where that is all they take. My hubby uses it daily for his stomach pain, arthritis and Gerd. It helps him a lot. I tried it in the past and found it useful if I use a high CBD low THC strain. CBD alone without the THC didn't benefit me at all. But sadly, I have not found a strain to help me enough to get off our meds. However, all of our bodies are different. I am going to try again at another time after I get my upcoming surgery complete. Gentle Hugs and best wishes.

I just use pot, always have, never drunk alcohol, just want it legalised in New Zealand, we nearly there, but my son is a paraplegic and cbd stops spasms and less anxiety, plus I bake cookies sometimes for him! Works brilliant! I don’t think I should be knocked for being a pot smoker, it was around when Jesus was here, what do you think they, the shepherds bring the herbs to help Mary give birth! Definitely not a bottle of whiskey!
Marijuana is a good herb, to be taken with no alcohol before, don’t wind yourself up that you are going to get paranoid as you will!

I stopped all meds except Cymbalta. I use pot and cbd. but be careful different strains of pot can increase anxiety.

I use a combo of THC AND CBD to help with the leg creepy crawlies. It was the only thing that works. I also use CBD ointment and cream on the worse areas of my body. I can take less medication but not totally stop my other medications.