"MY PAIN is constant every day without fail. I miss out on a lot of things, I can't play with my kids, I don't have any hobbies," revealed Wagga man Simon Todd as he spoke of the emotional toll inflicted by his chronic pain.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"My life sucks."
Mr Todd has broken his back in two places; has four discs in his neck that are virtually non-existent; has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both knees and has internal damage to nerves in his hip.
The former traffic controller was going about his job when he was hit by a car three times at the hands of a disgruntled driver.
Battered and bruised, Mr Todd was then assaulted by the driver.
Eight years after the cowardly attack, the father of four has added a human face to the medical marijuana debate in the Riverina, joining a growing chorus of people who advocate for medicinal trials of the drug in Australia.
Doctor Matthew Large, of the University of New South Wales School of Psychiatry, said there is "no doubt" medical evidence supported the use of the drug as a second-line treatment.
"The general atmosphere of social conservatism is holding back debate.
"I don't believe there are any compelling arguments against the prescription of medical marijuana," Dr Large said, who began his medical career in Wagga.
"Marijuana is gradually becoming available for medical purposes in certain US states and European countries.
"The general atmosphere of social conservatism is holding back debate."
Mr Todd is on a variety of different medications to manage his pain. He said habitual use of the medication means his body is less receptive to treatment.
"The amount of relief you get is less and less," he said.
"But unfortunately there is not much else I can go on."
Mr Todd is vocal in his support for the decriminalisation of medical marijuana as an alternative to the legal but often ineffective medication prescribed by his doctors.
He said he has access to cannabis.
"If I wanted to try it I could," Mr Todd said.
"It's not hard to get but because it's an illegal substance I won't try it - I have children and I'm a good father. If it was legal, I would give it a go.
"The thing that annoys me when people speak against it are the potential for side effects.
"Every single tablet has a side effect. I don't understand the opposition to it.
"I'm desperate."