Today is Veterans Day—a powerful, annual observation of those who are serving, or have served, in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Originally named “Armistice Day” to note the first anniversary of the end of World War I, it wasn’t until 1954 that President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name of the holiday to “Veterans Day.” 

Our country has spent over 65 years annually recognizing those who have served their country, as well as those who have fallen during the line of duty—but it’s no secret that countless veterans have returned home with medical conditions they struggle to treat. Many veterans commit suicide upon their return.

Veterans are a topic that is very close to the heart of the cannabis industry. Cannabis is a potent treatment for certain ailments that veterans are most likely to have, like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. Cannabis businesses across the nation are joining forces to support veterans this Veterans Day. Now more than ever, veterans need our support, and here’s a few ways consumers show their support.

Specialty products that give back to vets

Platinum Vapes contributes regularly to various causes each month through its limited-edition REACT vape cartridges. Each of these special-edition products comes with its own packaging. A portion of the proceeds from the REACT “Veterans Support” cartridge will be donated to Project Sanctuary and Battle Brothers Foundation.

Project Sanctuary helps service members reconnect with their families “in a healthy and sustainable manner,” while Battle Brothers Foundation assists veterans re-enter civilian life through their jobs as well as necessary, non-opioid medical treatments.

Terrapin Care Station is co-hosting a number of events with the Terrapin Veterans Network. The event includes a Veterans Day clean-up in Grand Rapids and dinner for the families of veterans in Pennsylvania. 

Kevin Krieger is Terrapin’s director of construction and Terrapin Veterans Network member. He expressed his desire to support veterans. “An estimated 200,000 veterans are expected to leave active-duty service and re-enter civilian life this year, but entirely too many former members of our nation’s military struggle to find employment or are forced to accept underemployment,” said Krieger. 

“For years, Terrapin has supported veterans and their families—both as employees and within the community at large. I am proud to be a member of Terrapin Veterans Network, working for an incredible company alongside many others adjusting to life after service in the military.” Terrapin also strives to ensure that 30 percent of its employees are veterans.

Likewise, PAX Labs is releasing a limited-editionVeterans Releaf Era Pod in California, Oregon, Massachusetts, Missouri and Washington. PAX Labs will donate $20,000 to Weed for Warriors and a portion of the proceeds will go towards Weed for Warriors. Steven Jung, PAX Chief Operating Officer is an ex-Army Captain who understands how important it is to support fellow veterans. 

“As a veteran myself, I know how urgent it is for us to advance veterans’ access to cannabis—both as a basic right and as a medical alternative,” said Jung. “This Veterans and Remembrance Day, we’re thrilled to be launching Veterans Releaf pods with partners across the U.S. benefitting Weed for Warriors and donating a portion of our device sales in Canada to Wounded Warriors—two leading voices advocating for veterans’ health and rehabilitation.”

If you find yourself at Torrey Holistics in San Diego, California today, you’ll find a special pop-up dedicated to veterans. El Blunto (Helmand Valley Growers Company) and El Blunto have created limited-edition lighters featuring the Battle Brothers Foundation logo. They also offer an Apple Pie pre-roll. HVGC and Battle Brothers Foundation will each receive one dollar per unit.

Support for Veterans Beyond Veteran’s Day

Green Thumb Industries has partnered up with Happy Health to provide veterans support. Between November 1 through December 31, the two companies are offering veterans and their families “free and unlimited” mental health support. Joshua Thiel (Director of Veteran Programming at Happy) wants to help veterans overcome the stigma surrounding mental health. 

“The military is committed to reducing stigmas with mental resilience care, but cultural change takes time and resources are in high demand,” he said in a press release. “Military members often believe that support equals weakness, and that no one cares or understands them—we at Happy disagree. Happy is expanding our support network to help turn Veteran trauma into wisdom that helps Veterans excel, and, ultimately, maximize happiness.”

In Flint, Michigan, the veteran-owned Light’N Up Cannabis Company announced that on November 20-21 it would be partnering with The Hero Project USA to provide 1,000 turkeys in a giveaway, in exchange for registering for the Light’N Up Cannabis Company’s Best Buds Customer Rewards program. Twenty-five vendors will be present at the event, and a portion of proceeds will be given to the vendor’s veteran charity of choice, which is organized through the Canna Social Equity Foundation.

Cannabis industry support isn’t limited to the United States, either. Aqualitas Inc., a Canadian company, has joined forces with Veterans For Healing Ltd. in Nova Scotia to provide a personalized service for vets. This includes efforts to “educate, assist and onboard veterans” across the country, but also working closely with the veteran community to create cannabis products geared directly at treating their ailments. 

“Over the years, the veteran community has made it clear that they need and deserve a reliable supply of consistent quality medical cannabis and a supportive client care team,” said CEO of Veterans For Healing, Rob Gowans. “Our collaboration with Aqualitas is a powerful way to deliver this medicine to veterans, and to work as part of a team with a truly patient-centred licensed producer to further assist veterans on their healing journey.”

Here’s a glimpse at some of the promotions and events the cannabis industry has organized to not only support veterans but also to raise awareness about their issues and the benefits that medical cannabis could offer. A simple donation can be made to veterans cannabis charities such as Weed for Warriors and Battle Brothers Foundation. 

They not only help veterans, but they also advocate for and support legislation to continue providing assistance to veterans long into the future. Unfortunately, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has not been a strong supporter of medical cannabis as long as it’s federally illegal, since it recently rejected cannabis research efforts 

Representative Lou Correa, who introduced the bill earlier this year, criticized the VA’s denial. “The VA keeps saying, ‘We have the authority; we don’t need you to micromanage us.’ But we do—because they’re not doing their job,” Correa said, according to Politico.