HALL COUNTY, GA — As Georgia’s expanded medical marijuana law enters its second month, a Hall County man is urging patients and doctors to explore whether medical marijuana could help them.

Juan Merced says he relied on high doses of opioids for 16 years to manage chronic neck, leg, nerve and back pain.

“I’ve got more metal they say in me than the bionic man,” Merced said.

Merced says he was taking 40 milligrams of OxyContin and 60 milligrams of oxycodone each day. Over time, he says the medications were no longer primarily treating his pain.

“They were no longer managing my pain, they were managing my physical addiction to the medications,” Merced said.

Wanting an alternative, Merced turned to a doctor who developed a medical THC regimen for him. He says they eventually found the right dosage to help him stop taking opioids.

“It was the bridge to get me to where I am now, and that is opioid free. I have not taken a pain pill short of an aspirin for one year,” Merced said.

Merced says he now typically uses a small amount of THC oil and a gummy to manage his pain. He says he no longer needs the THC regimen regularly but has it available when necessary.

“We were able to find the right dose to get me free of the opioids, and today I am blessed to say I don’t have a necessity to use the THC, but when I need it it’s there and I would much rather reach for that than any pill bottle,” Merced said.

Merced marked one year without opioid pain medication on May 21.

“On May 21, one year of no pain medications whatsoever,” Merced said.

Georgia’s expanded medical marijuana law took effect last month, expanding the list of medical conditions that qualify for treatment and increasing the amount of THC that can be used.

Merced says he now feels “free” and hopes other Georgians will learn whether medical marijuana could also be helpful for them.

WSB Radio’s Veronica Waters contributed to this story.