Please Help Me Keep My Freedom and Health

Hello everyone, I’m reaching out today to share my story and ask for your help. I am a legal medical marijuana patient in Missouri, using cannabis to manage several serious health conditions that no other medications have been able to address. I suffer from ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that affects my colon, causing painful ulcers and uncontrollable bleeding. I was diagnosed 18 years ago. On top of that, I have a 72-degree curve in my spine from scoliosis, which causes constant pain, affects my nervous system, and disrupts my hormones. I was 12 years old when diagnosed and it has progressed with time. The pain from these conditions makes it nearly impossible to sleep, and I constantly experience anxiety from the chronic discomfort. In addition to all of that, I get severe nausea from the pain, making it difficult to function. Cannabis has been a game-changer for me. It allows me to focus, function, and manage my pain. Without it, I am homebound and bedridden. The cannabis I use helps with the pain and nausea caused by my conditions, and it has truly improved my quality of life.

However, my life took a drastic turn when I was pulled over and charged with distribution and intent to sell. This is the first time I’ve ever been arrested in my life—I’ve never even had a traffic violation, and I’ve maintained a completely clean record. They pulled me over for an alleged traffic violation, then added more charges, making it harder for me to defend myself. Yes, I had my medicine on me, but I was simply trying to manage my health.

While cannabis is legal in Missouri, the quality available to me is not sufficient to manage my pain, and it is far too expensive for me to afford. This situation has put me in a fight for my life. If I lose access to my medicine, I simply won’t survive.

During my time in jail, I was forced to sleep on a hard mat, which worsened my scoliosis. The food provided was full of gluten, which is harmful to me because of my ulcerative colitis. Despite my condition, they refused to provide me with alternatives. I was starving and had no choice but to eat gluten, which has now caused my ulcers to return after 12 years of being in remission. My bowels are once again bleeding, and my pain is much worse.

I am not a criminal. I am a mother, a business owner, and an active board member of a nonprofit organization where I donate my time to help other families and caregivers. I take care of my health and help others do the same. I’m simply asking for help to stay free and continue caring for my health and my family.

The charges I am facing are putting my freedom at risk, and I need assistance to afford legal help. Every donation will go toward fighting this case and ensuring I can continue managing my health without further complications.

Please help me keep my freedom. Your support means everything to me.

I don’t want to lose my 14-year-old daughter. She needs me, and I need her. She is the love of my life, my everything. She’s the reason I keep fighting every day, and I cannot imagine my world without her. Please, help me stay in her life.

For all these charges it is very expensive to retain a lawyer. As of now I'm looking at $24,000. There is no way I have this. I am asking for help and any donation is helpful. Even if it's just $5. If you are not able to donate, please share my story. Lastly, if you know me and really who I truly am, I am asking for a "Character Reference Letter" or "Letter of Character. Anything I can give my lawyer to build my case is helpful.

My first court date is set for March 6th. Please Pray for a miracle!!!! If you write a Letter of Character, please send it to my email so I can send it to my Lawyer.

Please send all the prayers, positive love and light that you can.

Thank you.

Herbally yours, Crystal Dominguez