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Medicinal cannabis patient shares story

Fernie mom spreads compassion
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Sarah-Jane Nelson is many things – a stay at home mom, a registered nurse and a medicinal cannabis patient.

Like everyone else, she just wants to be understood.

The Fernie woman has shared her story in the Compassion Project, a travelling photography exhibition coordinated by the Elk Valley Harm Reduction Collaborative to increase awareness and understanding of drug use.

For the past two years, Nelson has been using medicinal cannabis as needed to treat symptoms associated with her chronic illness.

Her submission portrays her sitting in a cafe with her two young children and drinking coffee.

“The idea behind the photo is that even coffee is a drug,” she said.

“We all do drugs – coffee is a drug, tylenol is a drug, alcohol is a drug, cigarettes are a drug.

“I wanted to show that I’m not different to anyone else because I choose cannabis.

“There are thousands of strains to choose from, you can get a strain that does not get you high.”

Nelson is a registered, non-practicing nurse and took the first university course on medicinal cannabis offered in Canada two years ago for her own research and health purposes.

“I’ve done enough research that I’m confident in my choice and my quality of life is better with less alcohol, and cannabis as an alternative to help me with my symptoms,” she said.

“Recreationally, I prefer to have that option there and I want other people to feel comfortable with that.”

Through her involvement in the Compassion Project, Nelson hopes to build compassion and understanding in the community, and raise awareness about the opioid crisis sweeping the country.

“I’m just grateful to be a part of it because I really would like to encourage this dialogue and if I want people to have this dialogue then I have to show that I’m willing to have this dialogue,” she said.