I found a way to reduce my pain… without going broke.

For years, cannabis helped me with menstrual pain. And let’s be honest… it wasn’t always the right strain.

But when MS showed up in my life, I started looking for what could actually help me. I used to go to a small dispensary in my town. It was perfect: I could buy small amounts, try different strains, and figure out what calmed my legs or my neck. That was the beginning of my real hands-on research.

And then one day, the government decided to shut down all the dispensaries — right before the official opening of the SQDC. They clearly wanted everything to go through their own system. So suddenly, no more small, friendly place where I could see what I was buying… and there I was, standing outside in the cold, waiting in a long line for cannabis I couldn’t even look at before paying. Huge boxes with tiny, dry buds at the bottom. Not exactly what you want when you’re just trying to calm your body.

Harvest summer 2025

That’s when I decided to be autonomous: I applied for my permit so I could grow my own cannabis. At least I can choose my strains based on terpenes, based on what works for me. In my situation, it’s simply the best option… and honestly, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Let’s be real: if you use 3.5 g or 5 g per day, store prices make absolutely no sense. The “cheap” stuff at $4.20 per gram adds up fast. Good strains at $10 per gram? That’s $35–50 per day. Who can afford that when you’re sick and uninsured? Not me.And that’s me calculating with flower, because it's the cheapest option. If we start talking about oils, prices explode even more.

Meanwhile, MS medications can cost thousands of dollars… and those are fully covered. But cannabis — the thing that actually helps me stay functional — gets zero reimbursement.

Growing my own supply costs me about $150–200 per batch, plus the $125 to renew the permit (and a five-minute phone call with a doctor… MS is for life, but the permit isn’t, apparently). At least this way, I’m autonomous.

I can try things: flower, creams, infused butter, homemade products… and I’ll talk more about all of that in future articles.

In the end, I take care of my health the same way I take care of my plants: with patience, with instinct… and without letting anyone decide for me what’s good for my body.

I’m curious — do you use it too? Flower, edibles… or your own homemade mix?