@jmweissier, Good evening. Thank you for responding and for attaching the article. It was published in 2018 so is relatively new. I have read it first round. It appears that it is now and always has been difficult to compare apples and oranges.

Having been in CA through the medical and then the recreational onslaught of the marijuana industry........I can see why the variables are different as the legalization and medical diagnoses became more prevalent. I do read Leafly regularly and so will follow up on that reference.

You probably have nailed it as far as your statement about "pot" providing your best pain relief. I certainly feel the same way although the "pot" category is not one that I frequent. In the 70's I grew my own in planters in the living room. Neither do I play with edibles or beverages that arose with the growth of the recreational contingent. I do "go with the flow" sometimes, too.

Did you have injuries to your spine? Were you able to get any relief from a surgical procedure or a PT program? Hats off to you and may you have a pain free sleep tonight. Chris