Larry Smith, an American man who had been living with Parkinson’s disease for 20 years, experienced a remarkable transformation after trying medical marijuana for the first time. The footage of this event comes from the 2013 documentary “Ride with Larry,” which chronicled Smith’s battle with the neurological condition and his goal to bicycle across South Dakota.
In the video, Smith traveled to San Diego, where medical marijuana was legal, to try cannabis oil. Before taking a single drop of the oil, he struggled to walk and speak, with his hands trembling noticeably. However, within minutes of using the cannabis oil, his body relaxed, his hand tremors ceased, and he appeared to be free of pain. His wife observed that his hands became “rock steady” and his dyskinesia, characterized by uncontrollable muscle movements, disappeared.
The clip sparked significant discussion among viewers, with many advocating for the legalization and accessibility of medical marijuana, citing its potential benefits as a “game changer.” Some shared personal anecdotes of how cannabis had helped their loved ones with other serious conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Despite the positive response to Smith’s experience, Parkinson’s UK noted that the benefits of medical marijuana in controlling symptoms are “limited and inconclusive.” They acknowledged that while some people with Parkinson’s report short-lived benefits from cannabis-derived products, more research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
Larry Smith passed away at the age of 71 on the ninth anniversary of his South Dakota bike ride, but his story continues to inspire conversations about the potential medical benefits of marijuana and the need for further research and legalization.
