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FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- The call to legalize marijuana has come from a variety of sources claiming a variety of arguments, valid or otherwise.

One Heartland woman hopes she can be the voice of reason, and help to legalize marijuana for the right reasons.

Marie Smallow of Fairfield is paralyzed from the neck down due to a degenerative disease. She has been on pain killers for over 20 years, and she says she is tired of taking pills.

"It's needed... for people that are sick like me," she said. "What can I do? I'm in pain, in discomfort. I don't want to take Oxycontin. I don't want to become a drug addict, I have no alternative. I don't want to become a drunk, by drinking. There's no drug available that would be suitable for me."

Smallow said that representatives and legislators in the capital are too concerned with teenagers and youths. She stressed that she is not a "pothead" and wouldn't abuse the drug. She just wants peace of mind.

"I could sleep at night," she said. "It would take away a lot of pain and discomfort. Basically, for me personally, I wouldn't be smoking all day long. I would smoke before I went to bed at night, so I could sleep. And sleep comfortably."

Smallow said she knows of several people with diseases like cancer and glaucoma whose quality of life would improve with the legalization of marijuana. She also said she contacted legislators on the matter, but she has never received a response.