David Mulford can take most pain.

Drips of molten metal fell on his arms and melted his gloves while he was welding a machine in a salt mine, but he couldn't stop. If he did, the weld would fracture.

Several years later, white spots that cover his arms serve as reminders of the pain.

Now his pain is internal. For about 20 years, he has suffered from chronic pain, muscle spasms and other medical conditions. A few times, they've gotten so bad he couldn't stand up.

Doctors have prescribed several medications, but few work. The ones that do work have caused hallucinations and allergic reactions. When the pain got too severe to handle, Mulford turned to another substance - cannabis.

"We try as hard as we can to prevent (using) it," he said. "I definitely acknowledge it's not for every day."

Cannabis is another term for marijuana. Though it's the same thing, Mulford describes cannabis as medical, while marijuana is recreational.

Mulford is on Marinol, which is a prescription pill form of the main substance found in marijuana. However, he said it's only a single molecule of the substance. When researchers test Marinol, they're not getting the same result as they would by using marijuana.

"If you're going to make an apple pie, you don't want to use apple butter," Mulford said.

The Hutchinson man is working with the Kansas Medical Cannabis Network to reach out to legislators and the public in legalizing medical cannabis in Kansas. He has gone up to Topeka to speak to a House committee.

The Hutchinson chapter met at Carey Park on Saturday afternoon for a potluck barbecue and informational meeting. Throughout the afternoon, about 30 people trickled in, while 10 stayed for the 5 p.m. meeting.

Mulford said he doesn't condone breaking the law. He won't tell people it's OK to medicate using the substance. But he's fighting to make it legal.

Robert W. Borders has never taken marijuana, but he fully supports the movement.

"All substances should be legalized," he said. "For your own personal health, you should do what you want to do."

The group knows it's not an easy feat, and Mulford admits it's not a cure-all.

"It's not the magic potion," he said.

But for some people, it works. Mulford has been thrown out of places while trying to advocate for the substance. But he won't stop until he's heard.

There are several arguments against the group. Some fear that legalizing medical cannabis will make it easier for children to get their hands on the drug.

Mulford said young people already have access to it now. Legalizing for medical use would give adults the chance to explain why they can use it and children can't. He hopes it would also take away children and teenagers' rebellious usage.

Another argument is that other states have legalized the medical usage and have failed. Mulford said the group is looking at the mistakes in other states, including Colorado, to avoid them.

Then there is the dispute that people who use marijuana will attack somebody. Mulford said that's not true.

"The only thing they'll attack is the potato chip bag," Mulford said.

Doctors have tried to get Mulford to lose weight for years. He said that is what happens when he self-medicates with cannabis.

"I do get the munchies, but I eat smaller amounts," he said.

He's also been able to cut down on medications, saving about $400 a month.

Unlike painkillers, Mulford said it helps him to know what's going on inside his body instead of just numbing the pain.

"You're being tortured by your own body," he said. "And I've seen people in worse shape than me. … Some of us have got conditions and reasons to use to lead a life that is purposeful."