Sandy Drew, 55, an Allenstown resident, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1991. She worked as a RN at Concord Hospital until 1990; she then took a less demanding job at a doctor's office and finally retired from nursing in 2001 after a 27 year career.

As a nurse, Sandy said she often saw patients benefit from alternative treatments. "I don't think traditional medicine always has the answers," she explained.

Clayton Holton, 23, suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder characterized by degeneration of muscle tissue.  This illness manifested itself in early childhood and robbed him of his ability to walk at age 10.   Clayton knows DMD will eventually claim his life, so the purpose of treatment is to keep him alive and help him enjoy a decent quality of life for as long as possible.

Like Sandra Drew, Gilford resident Ellen McClung has used marijuana to cope with the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  The 52 year-old language instructor has suffered from MS symptoms since 1976, but her diagnosis was not confirmed until 1995, when an MRI made damage to her spinal cord and brain visible.

Concord resident Barbara Filleul, 60, has survived two battles with breast cancer.  However, she is not being profiled on this site because she smoked marijuana to alleviate the side-effects of chemotherapy; she's here because she didn't.

**Scott Turner passed away Tuesday, August 4.  May he rest in peace.

Manchester resident Darlene Wilson was diagnosed with cystic pancreatitis in 1991, and since that time, she has struggled to maintain a healthy weight.  Darlene has been prescribed dozens of FDA-approved medicines, but the only substance that effectively treats her nausea and stimulates her appetite is marijuana.

Her doctors agree.  Unfortunately, they will not be able to help Darlene unless HB 648 becomes law.