I didn’t think MS could still humiliate me. I feel bad about how I’m effecting those around me and how I am going to be a greater burden on my family. I lost it and tore into my wife. I was in such a haze that I can’t remember what I said. I acutely remember the feeling of being mortified. Of course, I apologised. I was ashamed. I still am. As my body fails so, too, my principles seem to crumble. Unfortunately there seems to be little one can do. Even the Doctors bypass the subject when asked. I’m terrified of losing my independence. Not only does my MS cause me to fall and drop items, it’s also a common source of embarrassment. In the past people thought I was drunk. I’ve been stopped twice by the police, who had watched me getting in my car and thought I was drink-driving . They are always incredibly apologetic when I explain my condition and let me go on my way. They never breathalyse me. I smile quietly to myself ‘cause I could have been pissed! With apologies to the people of the Ukraine, I feel like I’m in a war zone. The shells of multiple sclerosis explode within me. Often it feels as if my fingers, arms, legs and feet have caught fire. Being on front line can break you. However, I’ve found one great and powerful ally . I think you know what I’m going to say. It’s cheap and freely available. It never seems to let me down nor offer the nasty side effects like so many of the medications I’m given by my doctors. Apparently, it’s also a useful treatment for children with acute Epilepsy. However, parents/guardians are still finding it difficult to get it prescribed and people with MS even more so and we’ve been asking for it for years. My doctor told me that research needed to be done re it’s side effects and it could cause mental health problems. I reminded him that he warned me two of my prescribed drugs can cause depression and anxiety. Marijuhana has been a subject of medical debate since the year dot. It’s a pity it doesn’t cure Covid-19 because it would have been though the research labs and clinical trials at the speed of light. My GP concluded his argument by saying it was expensive and was imported. I told him I could get it for £20 within a mile of his surgery. Also, one of my MS drugs costs £30,000 PA. For a very brief period of my early work life I was a police officer. I often attended incidents where violence had occurred. A pub fight, domestic violence etc. Never was it the result of someone taking to much cannabis. Alcohol was always the root cause. For 20 years I worked as a successful Work Coach and Careers Advisor Please forgive me boasting but my work was recognised in 2015 and I was awarded as the UK’s Careers Advisor of the Year. I’ve worked with ex-offenders in 9 prisons, with people who had been unemployed for years and individuals with a variety of disabilities and/or learning difficulties. I was always in very trustworthy roles. When I got home from work I would have a ‘happy cookie’. It’s properties helped with my MS. The pain relief enabled me to work longer and therefore help more people. The economy has taken a drubbing from the pandemic. We’ve heard about the alarming cost of living crisis and high energy prices. We’ve been told of the ‘new normal’ and the worries of high unemployment and recession . What we need is a multifaceted approach to address these problems. One thing we could do is invest in a cheap scheme that won’t demand much investment or expensive training. Legalising cannabis would provide such an opportunity . It would also help address the struggling high street. No pun intended. Licensed Cafes or coffee shops would provide excellent retail jobs. Further to this there would be a boost in employment opportunities in growing the stuff. This would promote many people in gaining valuable horticulture skills. Consumption should be through ingestion. We don’t want to encourage smoking. I’m a cancer survivor, too! This would also help many gain catering, hospitality and retail skills. Billions of pounds would be raised in tax revenue. A quick look across the Atlantic at Canada and many US states would facilitate a mature social conversation and allay the fears of legalising marijuana. A boost to tourism would occur. It would reduce criminals in the supply chain. Savings would be made in the vast sums spent on prohibition with a smaller amount redirected to education. Yep, too much is bad for you. Just like anything else. The saddest thing is that this won’t happen. Our politicians do not have the ability for a social debate. The political tribes will continue to attempt to make gains from each other than discuss the issue properly. I’ve wanted to say this for years but now I’m retired I don’t have to worry about potential employers shunning me. I know most, if not all of you know the argument . I urge you to take every opportunity to promote legalisation. Bill Redhead UK Careers Adviser and Work Coach of 2015