As cannabis is becoming an increasingly relevant subject in treating the many lasting ailments from serving in the Armed Forces, seminars surrounding the discussion of and nonprofits promoting medical cannabis usage for veterans are operating across the country. In a state with as large of a veterans’ community as The Lone Star State, it’s not surprising that the support and advocacy for cannabis reform from our nation’s heroes is so prevalent. These advocates continue to discuss with legislators and offer an open invitation to speak about cannabis reform and certain legislators’ opposition to the plant.
At the Haltom City Public Library, in the heart of the very home district of Texas Compassionate Use Act author Stephanie Klick, Foundation for an Informed Texas and Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana will be co-hosting a Veterans Seminar on a series of topics important towards the lives of veterans and how cannabis may assist. Conducting three different panel discussions filled with panelists that have served in all branches, the Veterans Seminar will address many common questions and concerns that both veterans and their families may have about cannabis for their loved one’s health and well-being.
More than just panel discussions however, Veterans’ Seminar will also have speakers such as Lisa Pittman, Esq. of the Texas Hemp Advisory Council explaining the new regulations and legalities around veterans growing hemp. Jax Finkel, founder of FIT and Director of Texas NORML, will be speaking about the Legislative and Electoral Processes in Texas and the most effective ways for veterans to successfully advocate for the plant in the 2021 Legislative Session.
Co-organizing the seminar and hosting the Veterans’ PTSD Panel himself, Texas Veterans for Medical Marijuana founder David Bass already knows exactly what will be discussed during the first of three panels. With panelists such as Army veteran Jason Walker and Navy veteran/owner of Pine Shadow Farms Ramona Harrison, the topic of PTSD will be presented from an approach relating to multiple branches of the military. And branching out beyond only those who’ve completed military service, one of the panelists will be Former Sergeant Phil Gero of the Pflugerville Police Department to represent how PTSD is equally as common of a concern for first responders.
“What I’m interested in asking the two veterans on the panel and the former police officer is,” said Bass, “what were their symptoms of PTSD, how were they treated for symptoms by traditional medicines and third, why did they choose cannabis as opposed to these other medications and how cannabis ultimately helped them.”
On the Chronic Pain panel moderated by Finkel, two very distinguished veterans will be speaking about cannabis and CBD’s possibilities in treating the chronic pain that oftentimes comes with service in either the military or as a first responder. Among them is Air Force veteran turned Microbiology Technologist Anita Sommers who educates for cannabis under the moniker of CBD Genie. Her co-panelist will be retired Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Graham, a veteran with a three-decade career in the service and a tireless advocate for plant-based medicines for veterans.
The final panel, and possibly the most relevant towards what may happen for cannabis reform in the 2021 Texas Legislative session, is the Veterans’ Engagement panel.
Addressing how veterans can become directly involved with cannabis advocacy from veteran cannabis advocates themselves including Blue Cord Farms founder Robert Head and retired Marine Robert Dedreu, the panel will take the subject of advocacy from multiple fronts. Another unique way that the Veterans Engagement panel will be discussing advocacy is through the inclusion of Amanda Walker, wife of PTSD panelist/Army veteran Jason Walker. Amanda will speak about the sometimes difficult experiences of having a spouse go through the transition of using opiates to cannabis yet finding a common strengthening love in cannabis activism.
“It’s one thing to say that you want to be an activist, but it’s another thing to really understand what they’re up against because it’s hard work especially in Texas.” Bass admits.
“This medicine works for a lot of us veterans.” says Head. “And just because cannabis is something that you don’t use, don’t deny it to me because it’s something you don’t understand or want to use it. Don’t deny others the medicine they need because it may not be the medicine you need. Because I have a list of 23 ailments that veterans have had that cannabis helped them out with.”
Bass detailed that his targeted strategy of hosting seminars directly in the districts of Texas representatives that were instrumental in stopping cannabis reforms will continue. One such future stop will be in the district of state senator Brian Birdwell, the state senator who once claimed that “American Sniper” Chris Kyle’s murder happened due to Eddie Ray Routh’s “multi-year marijuana addiction”.
“It’s a big deal for someone to go to a marijuana event.” Bass said. “We don’t want to only preach to the crowd the whole time to people who are already convinced. The goal of these seminars is to reach new people. When we have someone new, whether a veteran or a caregiver or a patient to come to one of our events, then it’s really important to have that person show up.”
As a final veteran-centric surprise for the Veterans’ Seminar, Robert Head mentioned that there will be an updated trailer released for Operation Trapped, the documentary in collaboration with The Hustle Hustle Collective and Film4Eyes that documents the horrific struggles of Texas veterans who’ve found relief through cannabis. Touching upon several topics that either are or could become realities for many veterans and their families as well as first responders, the inaugural of many Veterans Seminar will be an event of great importance towards those communities.