Marijuana helpful for Bipolar and Pain Relief ?

I just finished watching a show on Hulu.com called The true tale of American Marijuana.  This story was the fight to legalize marijuana for chronic pain sufferers.  I still have a lot of questions and a lot of previous experience with the treatment given to my husband by the pain clinics.  I will quickly share with you some of my experiences.  I believe each person has their own story and is affected differently by  narcotics, pain and depression.  My husband is a chronic pain sufferer.  He is also bipolar.  The combination as we have learned almost makes it impossible to treat either or.  He is also quite an amazing artist!  www.artbydavidpaul.com
Several years ago 2002 I believe he started having severe pain in his wrists.  One surgery then another till 11 surgeries had been performed led to unbelievable problems.  Massive nerve damage.  Dave was desperate to find a way to get rid of the pain.  The Doctors did what they believed they could do to help him.  One doctor severed a nerve and he got staph infection.  Long story made very short, this is what led to David being introduced to a pain clinic.  At first he was given a mild narcotic which seemed to work.  Later the Doctor increased his medications.  Before to long he was prescribed Oxycontin,  methadone, and trazadone along with many other cocktails.   

From About.com Substance Abuse

It is generally believed that 30% to 60% of those with bipolar disorder (manic depression) also struggle with alcoholism or substance abuse perhaps in an attempt to self-medicate.

I found this in about 2 seconds.  Really are doctors not educated enough to know about this?  Okay so is it advisable to give a bipolar sufferer addictive medications as strong as these were?  What were these idiot doctors thinking?  Results with David were awful!  Attempted suicides,  many overdoses,  always taking to many pills and having withdrawals before his script was to be refilled. Month after month.  No matter how painful, it kept happening.  Let's clap for David 3 years now he has been off that lethal drug cocktail!!!!  So what is one to do?  Is a natural alternative like marijuana use a better option?

I found this amazing website with many voices regarding this topic. 

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=28964&cn=4

Reading through this I can see how some people feel their racing thoughts are being more controlled.  There is some talk about how numb they are to life and need to be aware it is the marijuana that is making them feel this way.  Addiction is an issue of course.  The question remains what would the quality of his life be if he decided to take this route?  Would it control his pain?  Would it help his creativity?  Would it cause a major addiction problems?  Would it make his life better because the pain and mood swings were more manageable?  Would this hurt his lungs?  What exactly are the pros and cons for David with this alternative therapy.  I can tell you this.  I know he will NEVER go back on narcotics!  Unless he has a death wish.  I live in Utah and don't believe medical marijuana is legalized here for medical use anyway.  In fact Ogden Utah made it illegal to smoke spice just recently.  That stuff scares me.

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881
So there's my answer the link above question on which states have changed their law on medical marijuana.

I heard on the video from Hulu  Utah Mormons were the first to outlaw the drug.  First to say No to Pot and to Spice.  Hmmmm didn't know that.  Then all the states followed suit.   I think if it helps and you are in severe pain or terminal go for it.  We are all here on borrowed time and why not make it the best we can.  Personally I've read mostly good things in regards to treatment of bipolar vs. marijuana and pain so if he wants to give it a try and of course move to Oregon and get a medical prescription for it and it works that is a great thing.   One more reason to move to Oregon!  Ha ha  that's where we want to live anyway.  The alternative is much worse.  The side effects of the depression medications and pain medications.  Oh and to answer any questions on the ECigarettes.  They have been great!  A lot less smoking!  I totally recommend them!
I would love some feedback on this!  Have a great day!