The EVOLUTION Magazine August 2022 | Page 27

After more persuasion from peers and their sons , Dickerson decided he wanted to hear what the public had to say about Missouri Medical Marijuana ( MMJ ). In October 2018 , they held a forum at the Beck Event Center in Harrisonville , MO , open to the public to give their opinion . About 200 people attended to speak both for and against MMJ . The first lady spoke of her child , whose 100 seizures per day forced them to relocate to Denver , where cannabis helped reduce the seizures to 10 or less a day . Another man with Parkinson ’ s described how it felt to be able to feed himself for the first time shortly after eating his first MMJ edible gummy .
Story after story was enough to convince the Dickerson family to start preparing to apply for Missouri Medical Marijuana licenses . However , there was one monumental experience that sealed the deal . While in Colorado doing field research to prepare for license applications , Dickerson tried cannabis for the first time . “ I had 1 / 3 of a 100mg Keef root beer soda . I remember going to dinner — 20 minutes later — and telling my sons that I didn ’ t think it was affecting me . They promptly told me to wait another half hour , and I would feel the effects . They were right ; about 30 minutes later , I told them that I needed to go back to our hotel room . We paid for dinner and made it back to the hotel . I fell asleep shortly after getting to our room and slept for nearly 12 hours . I woke up feeling rested and very surprised that it was light outside . Because of the pain in my back and neck , I rarely sleep for more than a few hours at a time , so this was a pleasant surprise .” If that wasn ’ t enough , Dickerson went straight to the bathroom and had the first solid urine stream since his accident 32 years ago .
Although he ( Dickerson ) was the last person who needed convincing to pursue his goal of taking part in the Missouri MMJ industry , it was just the beginning of convincing his friends , family , and the community of all the possible therapeutic benefits cannabis offers . Through sharing his story with others and providing educated budtenders at Blue Sage Dispensaries for Missouri MMJ patients , cannabis education is now a part of everyday life for the Dickerson family and employees .
It ’ s stories like Dickerson ’ s that bring to light the possible benefits medical cannabis as an alternative medication can offer some patients .
Blue Sage Cannabis Deli is a Missouri leader in the medical cannabis industry with a combined 80 + years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical field . The Blue Sage family brings that experience and best practices to the Missouri Cannabis community . It sources cannabis from Missouri growers and processors to deliver the highest quality product to every state-qualified patient . It offers two locations in Southwest Missouri with a variety of high-quality cannabis products along with a knowledgeable staff to ensure its patients find the best solutions for their alternative healthcare needs . For more information and locations , visit https :// bluesagecanna . com .
Clayton Stallings is the Director of Sales & Marketing for The EVOLUTION Magazine
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