That is, after I got out of high school. About ten years ago I badly hurt my back. I couldn't even walk.
I remembered doctors were the biggest opponents of marijuana being made illegal, since it has a lot of medicinal value. It's a pain-killer, a muscle relaxer (was used for pregnant women giving birth), good for the appetite and also insomnia. And I'm sure other things.
One of my friends gave me a pea-sized piece. I smoked it, did not get high, and in ten minutes the pain was mostly gone. My muscles relaxed, and I fell asleep.
The next morning I wasn't normal, but I could at least walk and go to work.
I was in enough pain to go to the hospital, which would have cost about $500. The piece I smoked was about two dollars worth.