Clinical Nurse Consultant
RN BSN CNC
Hi, I’m Deb Ranson from Queensland. Like many others, I first used cannabis as a teenager. But later in life, I turned to it again this time with intention. Faced with the option of opioids and benzodiazepines, I chose a different path. I wanted to avoid dependency and support my wellbeing in a natural way. Cannabis gave me clarity, allowed me to work, parent, and function without fog or fear.
Before medical access was legal in Australia, I used cannabis outside the system to care for my health. Now that legal access is possible, it’s become a central part of my self-care and my profession. I'm a Clinical Nurse Consultant specialising in cannabinoid care and public health, helping others navigate their health journeys with dignity.
Through my work, I’ve seen how many people don’t need to be part of the medical system. They just want to grow a little cannabis for themselves and relax after work. They’re not criminals, they’re functioning adults who deserve choice. But under current laws, they’re forced into clinics, clogging a system already under pressure. There has to be a better way.
That’s why I support legalisation. People deserve safe, stigma-free access to cannabis, whether it’s for pain, stress, trauma, or just to unwind, like someone might with a glass of wine. We need laws that:
Allow home growing for personal use
Protect patients when it comes to driving, healthcare, and work
Provide affordable medical access for those who want it
Educate the public to end stigma and promote safe use
Legalisation is about fairness, health, and freedom. It's time.
