Meet Our SpeakersJohn Precup Deirdre Zoretic Robert Ryan Kenneth B. Schweickart Mary Jane Borden Paula Mercer Eleanor Ahrens
John Precup I was diagnosed with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis in 1986, after waking up on the morning of April 5th with the worst case of the "bed spins" imaginable. I was unable to keep anything down, even water. On April 6th I was admitted to the hospital for a seven-day stay during which the ‘spinning’ continued for six days straight. When I was sent home, the dizziness had subsided a little, but I still could not function well at all. My neurologist prescribed the drugs Compazine and Antivert. They had little affect on the nausea and no affect on the appetite, even after the dosage was doubled. After a couple of weeks of feeling sick and not eating, I had lost 15 pounds and no medication was helping. I was truly in fear for my life. It was then that I decided to try smoking Cannabis/Marijuana. At first I felt worse, but after the effects of the smoke were gone I began to relax and get an appetite. I could finally eat again. Since that time, I have used cannabis to maintain a healthy body weight and a decent standard of living. For years I left my prescription drugs setting on the counter, as Cannabis was more effective. By November 1993, the disease had progressed to the point that I needed to use a cane and a wheelchair. The damage to the nerves that control the lower part of my body and legs caused my legs to be spastic and ache. Again, I saw a real benefit from using Cannabis, it allowed my muscles to relax. I was given a prescription for the drug Bacoflen in 1993 to help control muscle spasms. I experienced little benefit from the drug, it didn’t alleviate the pain in my legs. However with cannabis I got relief and, without the spasms, I could get a good night’s sleep. I briefly discussed the benefits I had been getting from the cannabis with my neurologist, Dr. Vilnius S. Ciemins, upon my initial office visit with him in 1986. After learning of Ohio's medical marijuana defense law in December of 1996, I decided to talk him again about my use of the drug and the short-lived law. Dr. Ciemins, agreed that Cannabis is useful in the treatment of my condition. He provided me with a handwritten recommendation that states: "Told patient that marijuana may relieve nausea, realizing that as yet the drug is still illegal." I feel the reason for the prohibition of cannabis is misinformation and the stigma that surrounds this medicine. So I have become active getting people informed and involved. I was proud to serve Ohio Patient Network as president from 2000 to 2006. I am also a member of OPN's speakers bureau, and on several other committees. I am also a member of North Ohio NORML and the Ohio Cannabis Society. I have given testimony to both the House and the Senate of Ohio. I have taken part in 3 Journey for Justice wheel chair treks that have spanned hundreds of miles. I have given numerous newspaper, radio and television interviews. I have spoken to various audiences across the United States. I was a plaintiff in the National Class Action for Cannabis Therapeutics law suit. Today I weigh 170 lbs. and use a wheelchair most of the time. Cannabis has no doubt given me a better life than I would have had without it. I didn't ask for this. I would gladly give up using Cannabis and all the other drugs that are prescribed for me if I were miraculously cured. John Precup
Deirdre Zoretic Hello, my name is Deirdre Zoretic, but everyone calls me Dee Dee. At the age of 27, I fell at work and acquired a progressive, incurable nerve condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. After running out of further legal medical options, using the information that I found in a government report, I began using cannabis therapeutically. I regained the use of my once completely atrophied right arm, and gained a felony record. Today, I work as the Director of Patient Advocacy for the Ohio Patient Network. I strive to educate legislators and their staff about the scientific evidence of the efficacy of marijuana as a medication. I also try to expose them to the harsh reality of the cruelty shown by our government policies on our most vulnerable citizens. Deirdre "Dee Dee" Zoretic
Robert "Rob" Ryan Hi, my name is Robert Ryan. I am an engineer by trade, and an anti-drug-war warrior by conviction. In the 80's I lived in Cincinnati and then moved to Maryland for family reasons, now I'm back in Ohio. I have served in a number of organizations, Weed n Seed, Republican party etc. In Maryland I was heavily engaged in lobbying efforts on numerous issues while I was an elected member of the Republican party. The Darrell Putman Compassionate Use Act signed by Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich was one that I was heavily involved in. One of the biggest tragedies in Darrell Putman's story (besides his death) was the erosion of respect he had for the government as he came to learn more of the truth concerning marijuana. This War on Drugs has affected me personally. There is a direct connection between my mother's breast cancer agony, due to inadequate pain relief ("she might get addicted") and my son's arrest. That connection is the War on Drugs, which I prefer to call it a War on Americans. I support the compassionate use of cannabis for various medicinal purposes. I have been assisting OPN's mission as well as other reform organizations. If you want to know more about me please go to my webpage www.robryan.org and follow the Profile and Principle links. Thank You
Robert R Ryan
Kenneth B. Schweickart I'm an activist that mobilizes conferences, fundraisers, voter drives, and demonstrations. Former endorsed Democratic Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives and current Director of Development for the Ohio Patient Network. I speak mainly about the about past, present, and future of medicinal cannabis. Occupation: Assistant Mortgage Loan Officer, Office Manager of a computer service company, and independent political consultant. Kenneth Schweickart
Mary Jane Borden, MBA, APR Mary Jane Borden is a writer, artist, and activist in drug policy from Westerville. She is one of OPN's co-founders and held the position of Treasurer before being recently elected president at OPN's Annual Meeting. She is the Business Manager for DrugSense/MAP (www.mapinc.org). You can read more about her here.
Paula Mercer My name is Paula Mercer, Age, 43. I am a retired Registered Nurse, specializing in orthopedics. I retired from nursing because of a circulation problem. I grew up in Fairborn, Ohio. I came from a family of two brothers and one sister. I graduated from Fairborn High School in 1979. In 1992 I graduated from Clark State College in Springfield. In 1980, I married Joe Mercer and we have a son who is now ready to graduate from Clark State. He will be attending Wittenberg next winter quarter. I have had lifelong medical problems. When I was six weeks old, my parents realized I had problems with my left leg. Throughout my life, I have had exams, tests, x-rays, etc. It was only a few years ago that a new doctor sent me for more tests and a CT scan and we really found out the extent of my problems. I have always been interested in the movement to make marijuana legal for sick people. As long as I can remember. My physical limitations do hold me back a lot though, I will always support this as long as I am breathing. Thank you,
Paula Mercer RN-C
Eleanor Ahrens I am a 53 year old woman who has been sick since childhood with epilepsy, migraines,
anxiety, depression, severe environmental allergies, food allergies, asthma
and other neurological conditions that went undiagnosed until 2004. I started
going to the Cleveland Clinic in 1990 for treatment of the seizures but final
diagnosis of my complicated neurological disorders would not be made until 2004.
Between the years of 1990 and 1994 I was being treated with 15 different daily
medications, some of which had addictive qualities and that addiction further
complicated matters to the point where it affected the quality of my life.
It was at the point of frustration and desperation, and after reading many
books written on the subject of medical marijuana, I decided this safe form
of treatment was something I needed to try. Because I had Asthma, my preferred
method was ingestion in a tea or cooking with it. I was able to reduce some
of my medications, and when I would feel an aura that preceeds an epileptic
seizure or a migraine attack I would medicate, thus putting a halt to the oncoming
seizure or reducing the pain of the migraine. It also helped the chronic spasms
and pain I was experiencing in my basilar and cervical area of my brain and
spine. All was working well until October 4,1994. That is when the nightmare
began.
I looked out the kitchen window to a sea of DEA agents, police, sherrifs, undercover
agents and plain-clothesmen. I was alone, I was scared and I was not prepared
for this moment. After discovery of my plants, I thought honesty was the best
policy so I promptly made the statement that this was my medicine. I did not
sell, I did not buy, I only used this cannabis for medicinal purposes. They
took my medicine, left and I heard nothing more until 1996, 2 years later.
During these 2 years I had contacted Northcoast NORML and had become educated
in the area of medical marijuana and my legal rights. I then had the opportunity
to speak in front of the Senate at the SB-2 Hearing to keep the affirmative
defense in the State of Ohio. This defense, which was in place in 1994, would
have allowed me to use my medical necessity as a defense in a jury court of
my peers. Although the majority vote passed, Governor George Voinovich, who
was not even there to hear the compelling and tearful testimonies of the patients,
caregivers and physicians vetoed it down. This was a personal loss for me because
I lost all rights to defend myself in court, and my life from that point on
would never be the same. I am now a convicted drug felon.
I was able to start my work in activism working for Northcoast NORML, I managed
a controversial NORML Shop in Ravenna, OH which was available for people to
stop in and talk about their concerns of the medical marijuana debate. Having
held several key speaking engagements including Kent State, a Union Local, several
Million Marijuana Marches and numerous TV and newspaper interviews helped lead
me to be one of the co-founders of Ohio Patient Network. I served as Vice President
– but stepped down due to personal problems and poor health. I was nominated
once more for Vice President in Fall of 2006 and proud to say elected to that
position once more. I am also a member of North Ohio NORML. My personal work
consists of animal rescue, pet therapy and pet education. I hold all these issues
close to my heart and consider it my life's passion.
After being beaten down by the ramifications of my political work and my self
declaration as a medical marijuana patient in the State of Ohio I suffer from
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is my work for and with the other patients
that helps keep me strong and fight daily to conquer the effects of being a
convicted drug felon for being a sick person trying to better my life. It is
with conviction and compassion that I hope I can make even a small difference
in this war on a plant that brings good health to so many disabled, chronically
or terminally ill patients.
Eleanor Ahrens
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