Veterans Spotlight ►
Eight Veterans Discuss Cannabis Use and Working in the Industry
We surveyed veterans to reveal how cannabis helps them both physically and professionally .
by Rocco Scarcello , contributing writer
With six percent of the United States population having earned veteran status , it ’ s no surprise there are so many former military members working in the cannabis world . In honor of Veterans Day on November 11 , The EVOLUTION Magazine spoke anonymously to eight cannabis workers who also identify as veterans of various military backgrounds .
Our goal was to acquire valuable insight into the Missouri cannabis industry ’ s impact on veterans . For instance , we wanted to find out how much , if at all , cannabis usage helps them with physical and mental ailments that many American civilians also experience . Additionally , we wanted to discover the impact cannabis usage has on conditions such as PTSD that notably affect veterans at a higher rate . Research from VA . gov reports seven percent of veterans will combat PTSD at some point . However , one might wonder how many veterans either haven ’ t reported their symptoms or aren ’ t being counted in that figure .
While our respondents claim jobs in all fields within the Missouri cannabis industry , we also wanted to know how their time working in cannabis has been and if they would recommend it to other vets .
With the sensitivity of the responses in mind , we chose to keep them anonymous and refrain from using direct quotations to help our respondents speak freely — and avoid possible repercussions from revealing too much identifiable information .
While all respondents to this interview are , in fact , current cannabis workers , they worked a wide variety of jobs post-service and before joining the cannabis industry . Some held jobs in areas such as retail , for instance , but ( like many veterans trying to / following reacclimating to civilian life ) others worked as security guards or first responders . In some cases , those jobs increased PTSD or physical injuries to their track record .
Age didn ’ t play much of a factor in the results , as our veterans ranged in ( current ) age from mid-to-late-twenties to the upper sixties . Most did enlist and possibly deployed as teenagers . However , a few of the respondents were in their twenties before signing their blank check — as veterans will often refer to the risk of serious bodily injury or death as they sign up to defend the United States .
We discovered respondents shared a strong affinity for Indica products , especially flower / prerolls . While some veterans reported also enjoying Sativas , Indicas and Indicaleaning hybrids prevailed as the most desirable .
The reasoning behind the preferences wasn ’ t always consistent , however . While a few respondents didn ’ t have a preference for any specific dominance , a few others specifically stated they didn ’ t rock with Sativas because “ it gets their anxiety going .” Others mentioned that Indicas are especially good for pain management and increase their ability to relax .
PTSD doesn ’ t mean the same thing for every individual it affects . For many who suffer from the neuropsychiatric condition , though — and as mentioned very specifically by one respondent who served as a Marine Corp combat correspondent ( think Private Joker from the movie Full Metal Jacket ) — the ability to unwind and not rewind is among the top effects they seek in a cannabis product . We found that most veterans interviewed felt like there isn ’ t a golden strain that will cure every symptom for every PTSD patient , but the right strain and intake method can make a world of difference .
While no respondents specifically listed which terpenes they prefer , it should be noted that in lieu of professional medical advice and without knowing how each terpene uniquely affects each individual , there are a few specific terpenes that veterans ( or anyone else ) may want to seek out .
● In addition to possessing anti-inflammatory properties that could help with tired or painful joints , Beta-Caryophyllene is among the only terpenes that will directly impact the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system ( ECS ). It is sought by those looking for a boost to their mood and / or needing help alleviating symptoms of depression and stress — PTSD .
40 November 2023