Texas veterans continue to push forward as the world continues to find itself in the throes of an economically crippling global pandemic that will soon celebrate its first birthday. The passionate cannabis advocates of Texas who’ve served our country with just as much passion haven’t slowed down one second. Among great uncertainty, our veterans who’ve fought for national cannabis legalization have kept up the fight for medical cannabis access. Even with virtual events due to social distancing and crowd size guidelines. Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana continues to power through the strange and uncharted situation the globe finds itself in.
Last month, we discussed Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller’s recent trip to the Alamo Remedy hemp farm. He met with hemp-farmers, lawyers, business owners, and most notably, Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana founder David Bass. Commissioner Miller stated his strong support and undying optimism in the multi-useful possibilities of Texas-grown hemp production. Miller revealed that he uses CBD-based products for his injuries received during his historic Rodeo cowboy career.
Miller will soon humorously be appearing in Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev’s second documentary in America rocking a rarely sighted black cowboy hat. And he hasn’t become disinterested in the subjects of Texas hemp and support for medicinal cannabis access in the slightest. As a sign of genuine support for cannabis, Miller will be the keynote speaker at the 2020 Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana’s Conference. A quality rarely seen in politicians.
The Conference
October 17th, the Conference will be held virtually online via a commonly used distance learning platform. It’s quite fitting given the extensive and diversely informative speaker panel. October 17th is this coming Saturday from the article’s date.
This conference normally takes place near the Capitol Building prior to the legislative session. And usually held during the October prior to the next Texas Legislative Session. TVFMMJ has held the conference since 2016 with veteran attendance reaching into the hundreds. The Conference will cover a variety of topics related to medical cannabis, hemp cultivation, veteran rights and safety from Veteran Affairs-related persecution when using cannabis. Meant for “veterans, patients, and caregivers”, the conference directly addresses those issues. Focused on because they are important for Texas veterans who choose to use cannabis.
Speeches and Speakers
Starting at 10 AM Central, Ret. Major Bass will provide an introduction to the conference. He will mention the stacked lineup of thought-provoking and insightful panelists and speakers. Following that will be the keynote speech by the Texas agriculture legend himself.
Entitled “Growing Hemp for Veterans”, Miller will use his decades of agricultural experience. Practically his entire life from birth in 1955 in De Leon and eight generations of family experience in the matter. Speaking on the mass practical potential and how veterans benefit from the crop both through health and job ceation. Surely, he’ll also speak about how the Texas Department of Agriculture will operate to ensure a successful program with a focus on Texas veterans.
“We’re heavy on doctors this year.” Ret. Major Bass excitedly informed.
Wendy Askew, MD
Following Miller’s speech, viewers will watch as Dr. Wendy Askew, speaks about how cannabis works from a scientific and medicinal standpoint. Askew is an OBGYN and Medical Director of Foundation for an Informed Texas. As well, she is an Air Force veteran who served for 11 years. Serving as a one-two punch of medical cannabis research in the face of a federal government that refuses to conduct research on the plant due to an archaic and draconian drug schedule, Dr. Askew’s speech precedes “THC As Medicine” featuring Dr. Jordan Tishler, an Internal Medicine physician and the President of the Association of Cannabis Specialist’s President. A frequent speaker on all matters related to the medical applications of cannabis, Dr. Tishler will be discussing the medicinal components of the plant and how they could provide a healthy substitute to pharmaceuticals.
Bryon Adinoff, MD
A topic all too painfully realistic for veterans of all branches, “PTSD, Pain and Cannabis” will be hosted by esteemed and widely published addiction psychiatrist formerly of the Department of Veteran Affairs for three deades, Dr. Bryon Adinoff.
“He realizes from treating veterans with different types of addiction, that cannabis can help people with addiction and be an ‘exit drug’ instead of a ‘gateway’ drug.” Bass said.
Learn how to become a medical cannabis patient in Texas
Darina, A Douchi, Pharm(D)
Rounding out the block of physicians of all types will be Dr. Darina A. Douchi, an Army veteran and clinical pharmacist who will be speaking about Drug Interactions and how cannabis could replace or alter the use of other medicines.
Other Veteran Speakers
After a brief intermission, the first panel discussion’s surrounding themes are all too unfortunately common for vets, entitled “PTSD and Pain”. With panelists such as Retired Army NCO Jason Walker, Navy Veteran and Owner of Pine Shadows Farm Romana Harrison and even Former Sergeant with Pflugerville Police Department Phil Gero, the panel will be able to approach how to properly deal with these subjects from the stance of an army vet, a navy vet and even a first responder’s perspective.
The Veteran Engagement Panel will focus on how veterans can become powerful advocates for hemp and medical cannabis in their own right. Featuring seasoned veteran cannabis advocates such as Navy veteran Anita Sommers, military spouse and advocate Amanda Walker and Texas NORML’s Director of Patient Outreach Akila Wienecke, the panel can mention the nearly infinite ways that fellow veterans and advocates can become involved, especially with a Legislative Session coming up.
Costing $15, all proceeds will go to funding the tireless efforts of TVMM and similar cannabis advocacy causes. And the panel will be on demand following the premiere of 10 AM CST, so viewers may tune in later if requested.
“This is not just for veterans. It’s for veterans, patients and caregivers.” Bass said. “Because us veterans don’t just want medical cannabis for us. We want it for all the patients in Texas and so we want all to participate. And we hope new people just learning about medical cannabis for the first time will participate because by the time they’re finished with this seminar, they’ll have an in-depth understanding into what cannabis is and why it’s a wonderful way to treat symptoms of PTSD and chronic pain.”
Event Signup Link:- https://informedtexas.ce21.com/item/texas-veteran-online-conference-370263?fbclid=IwAR2kOEcjHHUamM1paGjKcLb_SVh71NZB2MQB3wgtHwgwapzLvWvn3Gmm88c#tabDescription