Andrew Johns, former Australian Rugby League superstar has discussed his use of medicinal cannabis since retirement.
Johns played over 300 games of Rugby League at the highest level representing Australia at two World Cups and amassing 23 State of Origin caps in a career spanning 14 years.
Since his retirement he has spoken of the chronic pain and seizures he has suffered with as a result.
In his career Johns suffered from concussion, a neck injury, a torn ACL and a broken jaw. Each can have longer term debilitating effects.
However cannabis has provided some relief to the long suffering pain of one of the greatest albeit brutal Rugby League careers.
Johns explained to the Sunday Telegraph “I have been taking medicinal cannabis for 18 months now as well as the medication I’m taking… and am seizure-free,”
“I can go to the park now and kick the footy. I can jog. I hadn’t run for 10 years. It is so nice to run around and play with the kids,” he said.
Before Johns took to medicinal cannabis he was reliant on sleeping pills and anti-inflammatory tablets, something which he took throughout his career.
‘Obviously after coming home from calling footy, I would be wired. I used to have sleeping tablets to put me to sleep, but I haven’t had a sleeping tablet in those 18 months.
“I read a lot but sometimes my mind can wander. Now my concentration is better. And my partner Kate says I am calmer,” said Johns.
