Submitted by Otha S. from Annapolis, Maryland

I am 43 years old, from Annapolis, Maryland. I was suffering from a head injury, anxiety, and back pain for 16 years.

In 2006, I was involved in a serious car accident that nearly took my life

I fell asleep at the wheel and was ejected from the car, landing on my head and upper back. I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a result and was left with a 6 inch, 34 plus staple scar on the top of my head.

I was faced with serious back pain, migraines, anxiety, and hyperhidrosis. After three years of taking prescription medication, I realized I didn’t want to rely on pills daily for the rest of my life. I had experienced unpleasant side effects, including irritability, clouded judgment, and constipation. I eventually reached a breaking point, stopped taking the medication altogether, and chose to use medical Cannabis as an alternative to manage my symptoms.

I was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) following a near-fatal car accident

On discharge from the hospital, I was prescribed Xanax, Oxycontin, Percocet, and several other anxiety medications to manage my symptoms. However, none of these medications provided relief without bringing along unwanted side effects. After years of struggling with the nasty side effects of pills, I reached my breaking point and decided it was time for a change.

That's when my Cannabis journey truly began. I’d used Cannabis sporadically throughout middle and high school, always remembering how great I felt, both mentally and physically. But when Colorado legalized Cannabis recreationally, everything changed. I dove headfirst into learning about the history and ways people would use Cannabis as medicine. Discovering how Cannabis has been embraced for centuries was eye-opening, and from that moment on, there was no turning back!

I learned about Cannabis after reading countless articles online

But I learned the most about my personal Cannabis journey through trial and error, which made me realize how challenging, frustrating, and expensive the process can be. I also spoke with a lot of healthcare providers, such as Dr. Dustin Sulak, Dr. Bonnie Goldstien, and Dr. Patricia Frye to name a few.

My experience finding the right consumption methods, dosage amount, and terpenes and cannabinoids is what led me to develop Tetragram, an app to keep track of personal Cannabis use.

I struggled with the negative stigma of Cannabis as a person of color

My parents made me well aware that I was statistically four times more likely to be pulled over, arrested, or even worse, killed by law enforcement. To this day, police still use Cannabis possession as a basis for mass incarcerating.

My preferred way to consume Cannabis is by using flower

When it comes to flower, I prefer THC levels between 15-25%, with strong profiles of Myrcene, Linalool, and Beta-Caryophyllene. I rarely use concentrates. I’m too much of a lightweight, so I avoid Cannabis with high THC levels.

I typically stick with a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio, with a maximum of 5mg of each. I prefer to take an edible after I come home from the gym or after a run in the morning. By that point, I’ve burned calories, preparing a small breakfast, and that’s when I take an edible to help me stay relaxed and take the edge off as I face whatever challenges the day might bring. Additionally, I take an edible two hours before bed to encourage a good night's sleep.

I'm an athlete, and run 30-40 miles a week and engage in high-endurance strength training, using Cannabis as a recovery aid after runs or workouts. The New York Times even featured my use of Cannabis for fitness.

I haven’t touched a prescription pill in over a decade. I’m still going strong!

I hated using prescription pills and the nasty side effects. I took control of my life, and now much healthier mentally, physically, and spiritually. Taking control of my health was a game changer, and I knew it started with being intentional about what I was putting into my body. I embraced a pescatarian lifestyle, cutting out red meat and focusing on nourishing myself with fish and seafood. But I didn’t stop there! I became incredibly active, challenging with 5Ks, 10Ks, and marathons. If I can do it, so can you!

This is Otha’s personal story and not meant to be medical advice. It is for informational purposes.

To work with a medical Cannabis professional, please visit our directory of coaches, educators, and medical professionals. Everyone's Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is different; good results start with the right approach. You don't have to figure it out on your own.

If you need help with any terminology in this article, you may find some answers in our glossary.