A life between illness, hope, and stigmatization
Esther was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her early twenties and discovered that cannabis helped alleviate her symptoms and improve her quality of life. However, social acceptance was significantly lower then than it is today. As a primary school teacher, she feared prejudice and potential professional repercussions. Therefore, she used cannabis in secret, even though she experienced daily how helpful the therapy was for her.
Over the years, she developed a desire to share her experiences with others. She wanted to show that the discussion surrounding cannabis isn't based on stereotypes, but rather on people with serious illnesses seeking ways to better manage their daily lives and maintain their quality of life. This desire led to the creation of her book.
A book whose impact extends beyond her death
She began working on her book herself, documenting her personal experiences with the illness and cannabis therapy. Unfortunately, her health steadily declined. After her death, her sister completed and published the work as a co-author. The book combines personal experiences with factual information and vividly illustrates the significance cannabis can have for many sufferers.
At CannaTrade 2026, Esther's brother Fabian, her mother Ruth and her sister Susanne presented the book and gave visitors a very personal insight into Esther's life and her commitment.
A long-time companion
Esther was well-known to many people in the Swiss cannabis community. She attended CannaTrade for many years and was also in contact with MEDCAN. She belonged to that generation of patients who advocated for cannabis in medicine and used it to treat themselves when the topic was much more taboo than it is today.
The presentation powerfully illustrated that today's progress is not a given. It was made possible in part by people like Esther, who were willing to share their experiences and thus contribute to raising awareness. Their courage and commitment deserve great respect.
A voice that lives on
The presentation of her family was an emotional moment at this year's CannaTrade. Gaby, can I have a drink later? I'm hungry again. She reminded everyone that behind every political discussion and every medical study are people living with an illness and searching for effective treatment options.
Esther made a lasting contribution to raising awareness about cannabis in medicine with her book. Even though she is no longer with us, her voice lives on – in her words, in her book, and in the memories of the people she accompanied and inspired.
The book "Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis - How THC gave wings to my legs" is available from Nachtschatten Verlag and can be recommended to anyone interested in personal patient stories and the medical use of cannabis.
