Rudy Reyes – activist, politician, hero, survivor. These are just a few words to describe a man of incredible determination and resilience.
In October 2003, San Diego, California faced one of its most devastating wildfires, known as the "Cedar Fire". The blaze scorched approximately 273,246 acres, destroyed 2,820 buildings, and claimed 15 lives.
Among those deeply affected was Rudy Reyes, a resident of a quiet town in East San Diego.
Before the Cedar Fire erupted, Reyes lived with his family in the peaceful community, while neighboring counties in Southern California were already engulfed in flames.
Fires like the Old Fire and the Grand Prix Fire in San Bernardino County had stretched firefighting resources thin, pulling San Diego County firefighters away from their local duties.
When the Cedar Fire ignited, many resources were already committed, complicating efforts to contain the blaze.
Survival
Reyes, awakened in the night by smoke, rushed to get his family to safety. He then realized that his neighbors were still asleep and unaware of the impending disaster.
Reyes ran to their homes, alerting them to the danger, ultimately saving a total of 10 people.
After evacuating everyone he could, Reyes found himself surrounded by flames with no way out.
With some quick thinking, Reyes drenched himself in the shower, and then in the dark, ran over a mile through a blazing inferno hell.
When asked if he remembered the run to help, Reyes recalled,
“Of course, I remember feeling cold rather than hot because the intense heat was destroying my nerve endings.”
Emerging from the flames, adrenaline coursing through his veins, Reyes says he initally thought he was safe.
“It was 3:30 am, so no visual to confirm, but I figured I was okay. Unfortunately, I needed immediate help.”
Injuries & Recovery
Reyes, a 75 percent burn survivor, bears the scars to prove it. He lost a finger and an ear, was intubated for two months in an induced coma, spent a year bedridden in the hospital, and endured another 5-8 years of surgeries and recovery. His journey also includes a lifetime of rehabilitation.
“Originally, I was prescribed hard narcotics like morphine and oxycodone. I was on so many strong drugs, I was slowly overdosing and turning green. The doctor decided to try a natural method – medical cannabis.”
Reyes doctor suggested bringing edibles into the hospital to monitor their effects.
“We found it lowered my blood pressure, relaxed my muscles, and was highly effective for pain relief.”
For Reyes, cannabis became a true relief from the pain and depression of his ordeal. “I continue to use it for general health, from creams to concentrates, to help with pain.”
Activism
Reflecting on his journey, Rudy shared, “At some point, I realized I have legitimate rights to medical marijuana. My state had the law since 1996, but nobody really fought for it. If I had these rights, so do others. My job is to let others know their rights too.”
Rudy’s activism was further fueled by his encounters with Diane Jacobs, the San Diego County Supervisor at the time, known for her prejudiced views on marijuana.
Despite Reyes presenting a perfect case for medical marijuana, Jacobs remained staunchly anti-marijuana.
In 2007, four years after Reyes’s injuries, the Witch Creek wildfire erupted in Southern California. Jacobs chose not to allocate the county’s budget for wildfire relief but instead used it to file a federal appeal to the Supreme Court, aiming to block Proposition 215 and eradicate medicinal cannabis.
“Unfortunately for her and to our surprise, the Supreme Court declined to take up the case, and we won by default.” says Reyes.
Reyes ran for County Supervisor against Diane Jacobs in 2012, 2016, and 2020, adopting the “squeaky wheel” strategy.
He was also honored to be nominated for the United States Vice President seat under the Legalize Marijuana Now party- a cannabis political party in Minnesota with ties to Nebraska.
Closing
Rudy Reyes’s journey from surviving a devastating wildfire to becoming a passionate advocate for cannabis rights is nothing short of inspiring.
His story is a testament to the power of resilience, advocacy, and the unyielding pursuit of justice.
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