Former Red Wing Darren McCarty says marijuana has saved his life.

All of you reading this are fortunate enough to live in an era where the stigma surrounding the medical use of marijuana has all but vanished. I believe that there are very few people out there who would deny that medical marijuana has helped improve the lives of millions of people around the world, and now a former National Hockey League player is sharing his own story.

Former Red Wings star Darren McCarty was a four time Stanley Cup Champion during his time in the National Hockey League and you would think that this level of success would be a direct path to a fulfilling and happy life down the road. Unfortunately like many other professional athletes McCarty turned to substance abuse, in his case alcohol, in order to cope with the pain and suffering his body had to endure during his time in one of the world's most demanding sports. It is something that today McCarty is comfortable sharing given just how far he has come in his recovery.

“For me, growing up, you were either a jock or stoner, so I never smoked pot growing up, but I’ve been drinking since I was 12 or 13 years old. That was acceptable in the hockey circles, it's just culturally what was accepted,” McCarty said as per the Detroit Free Press. “So I would always say no to pot, until after my first surgery in 1999. I was on all these pills, and it was driving me crazy. And I'm an insomniac, so I can't sleep, and that had a lot to do with all the drinking.”

So McCarty finally caved in and was given a high dose of potent marijuana over a 7 day period, a period that he describes as something akin to a coma. Now this might sound crazy to some but according to McCarty it was a life changing experience, and one that left him free from  his crippling addiction for the very first time.

“I was in a coma and when I woke up after seven days, I didn't have a physical addiction,” McCarty said. “I dropped to my knees and said, 'Thank God.' '”

This is not just lip service either, McCarty has now partnered with a marijuana company and intends to start developing his very own strands of legal marijuana in an effort to bring the positive benefits of the plant to others who may be in need. 

“If you've seen my progress over the past 10 years, you've seen me go through different stages from the alcoholism, which led me to this plant saving my life,” said the 47-year-old Madison Heights resident. “I feel like I’m 35. I’m not lying. I feel like Benjamin Button.”

McCarty understands that there will be those who will be critical of his decision to associate his name with a marijuana producer, but for the former National Hockey League stand out it was an easy decision. McCarty believes that the positive impact the drug has had on his life to date are a clear indication that he is doing the right thing.

“And the bottom line is, I'm not drinking. I'm not doing coke. I'm not doing pills. I'm not smoking cigarettes. In my book, what you think about me is none of my business because I know I'm right. The big fella told me so,” McCarty said, pointing skyward.

I wish him all the best moving forward.