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1/30s f5.6 55mm

The photo above is a picture of my father in 1993. 

In 1994, months after I was born, my father was diagnosed with a disease known as M.S., Multiple Sclerosis. This disease is malicious in most cases, and attacks the central nervous system. It can completely shut down basic motor function, cause the loss of limb control, and destroy equilibrium. Before my father was diagnosed, a cousin of his had already been suffering from the disease for a few months. She had already been confined to a wheelchair, and passed away in 1995. I was only 4 months old when my father came out of the doctor's office with a bottle of pills that would only end up making his symptoms worse. 

In 2010, 15 years after his diagnosis, my half-sister got married on a private beach in Malibu, California. He was still able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.

1/30s f5.6 55mm

My father was still walking, despite his cousin's quick decent after her diagnosis. Some might call this a miracle, but there's one defining factor that has helped my father overcome his nausea and more than likely overcome dire side effects. Since we lived in Washington state, medical marijuana has been a common sight in my home. There is nothing wrong with it, and in that state it is widely accepted as a huge aid in many medical scenarios. When we moved to Utah, things weren't nearly as easy for my dad. The thing that had kept him out of a wheelchair and kept him able to drive and interact with his family was not "accepted".

1/250s f11 35mm

My dad has been forced to hide the thing that helped him through his illness. Having to feel ashamed for using an "illegal" substance. 

1/250s f11 35mm

In his hand he holds his lighter, but he doesn't hold it with pride. This makes no sense to me. Without it, he may have never had a chance to be my father.

 1/250s f11 35mm

My father has fought hard to be where he is. He told me that when he heard his diagnosis the first thing he said was "I'm not done", and he still isn't. I can't begin to explain how grateful I am to say that my father is going to be able to come support me at my university graduation. I've seen him at his best and worse, and seeing him have to hide a simple medication is nonsensical. 

1/250s f11 55mm

This is his walking stick. It's been sitting in his room collecting dust for months, and personally I hope it stays that way. Consider this a cry from the minority. Utah needs to come to its senses and make medical marijuana legal. People like my father have it to thank for their health, it's not a drug, it's a medicine. Where would advil be if people thought treating headaches was illegal?