Durham man says medical cannabis has changed his life

Greg Weirs, 39, from Durham, lives with sleep apnoea and fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and fatigue, and had spent years trying different medications with little relief and frequent side effects.

He said: “I was getting sporadic pains, stinging, burning, like a poker’s getting stuck in me – that could be in my feet, hands, legs, or head.

“I never felt like I’d had a rested night.”

Mr Weirs said the pain and exhaustion often left him unable to function or enjoy life.

He said: “For a good few years, I’ve been going through every medication possible – they didn’t work, I just felt more groggy than anything.

“It would just wipe me out, and I’d be asleep all the time, not really living.”

After finding some relief from illicit cannabis gummies, Mr Weirs researched legal options and discovered a medical cannabis clinic, through social media.

He decided to try it despite actually disliking cannabis.

He said: “I absolutely hate cannabis, I don’t like the taste, I don’t like anything about it, but it works.”

Greg Weirs from Durham (Image: Releaf)

Following an online consultation with the clinic, Releaf, he was prescribed medical cannabis in oil and flower form, which he uses with a vaporiser, the legal method of administration in the UK as smoking medical cannabis remains illegal.

The results, he said, were immediate.

He said: “I’ve done things that I’ve not done in forever.

“The last couple of days, I’ve been decorating the kitchen and I haven’t had one bit of pain.”

Mr Weirs has since stopped using other medications entirely.

Now, he is sharing his experience to encourage others with similar conditions to consider medical cannabis as an option.

He said: “Just go for it.

“You can be on strong medication for the whole of your life and be no further forward, where at least with cannabis oils and stuff like that, flower, it takes the inflammation down as well.”