From 14 Prescriptions to Five by Incorporating Cannabis into Her Health Routine.
Patient Wellness ~
Constance’ s Cannabis Patient Story
From 14 Prescriptions to Five by Incorporating Cannabis into Her Health Routine.
by Kassie Ferrero, contributing writer
Cannabis is medicine for many people, but behind every Missouri patient card is a story. As Missouri continues to grow as a medical and adult-use market, it is more important than ever to remember the individuals who turn to cannabis not for recreation but for relief. Their stories remind us why this plant matters and why compassionate access remains essential. Join us to hear from people in our communities across the state whose lives have been transformed by the plant’ s power.
Meet Constance Azcona— a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and now cannabis advocate. The people fortunate enough to be in her circle know her as“ Momma Connie.” Before cannabis, Constance worked for the Grain Valley Transportation Center, a career she loved as it gave her the opportunity to serve her community and its youth. Things started taking a dramatic turn in September 2019, when Constance started experiencing unexplained episodes of losing consciousness.
Constance with her family while she was taking as many as 14 RX’ s for her diseases. She says, during that time she gained a lot of weight.“ I was horribly insecure and didn’ t take many photos.”
After months of seeing specialists in Missouri and Kansas, she was diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases, including severe rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, vasculitis, and osteoporosis. The loss of consciousness was attributed to vasovagal syncope, defined by fainting that occurs when the nervous system reacts to stress and lowered blood pressure.
By March 2020, Constance’ s health had declined to the point where she was forced to resign from her job and transition to permanent disability. At the same time, she was seeking therapy for a car crash that led to memory loss. Her life had changed in the blink of an eye, leading to a deep state of depression and hopelessness. Like many patients living with chronic illness, she found herself asking one of the most painful questions,“ What is my purpose in life now?”
Constance in 2017 before learning of her diseases.
With this lifestyle change came the need to incorporate 14 prescription medications into her daily routine. Despite all the treatments, efforts, and support from her family, Constance’ s quality of life continued to deteriorate. The medications left her feeling unlike herself, unable to think clearly or function normally. She had become disconnected from her life and surroundings. Her sister and brotherin-law, both regular cannabis consumers, had encouraged Constance to try cannabis for years before this change. Although she was apprehensive, she eventually sought cannabis for relief, with the help and guidance of her family. Unbeknownst to all, this would be the turning point in her life.
Even when she was trying cannabis for the first time, it was apparent that the plant offered medicinal benefits that conventional treatments had failed to provide. It was the only option that truly relieved her pain and inflammation. Incorporating cannabis into her routine reduced her prescription intake from 14 medications to five, most of which help regulate her blood pressure.
In 2024, a friend mentioned that Kansas City Cannabis( KCC), her neighborhood dispensary, was hosting a job fair and encouraged her to attend. She applied for a receptionist position and joined the team at KCC’ s Blue Springs dispensary in November 2024, marking another milestone in her journey toward rebuilding her life. Being surrounded by knowledgeable folks at KCC and hearing other patients’ stories helped her research new and different ways
28 August 2026