Veterans Day is November 11, and we would like to both thank and honor this country’s veterans. While Veteran’s Day may seem unrelated to cannabis, medical use of cannabis has garnered widespread support among US veterans, with 83% supporting nationwide access to medical cannabis. Veterans often leave military service with moderate to severe mental, physical, and emotional challenges, which can be long-lasting and difficult to manage.

It is estimated that nearly 60% of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan during the last two decades are currently living with some form of chronic pain, whether service-related or not. The pharmaceutical solution to chronic pain tends to be heavy-duty, opioid-based painkillers, which can be both addictive and dangerous, particularly when used long term. Opioid-dependency is not only a slippery slope for many, but in fact disproportionately impacts American veterans. Studies have shown that access to cannabis use in lieu of opioids can help people to avoid opioid-dependency and actually reduce opioid-related deaths. Cannabis both reduces inflammation and provides pain relief, no matter the condition, making it a safe alternative for pain management and many other ailments.

Many veterans also struggle with managing mental health conditions, and in particular, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. It is estimated that between 20% and 30% of veterans returning from combat will experience PTSD, with even more experiencing challenges such as depression and anxiety related to their service. These conditions can cause insomnia, distressing thoughts and dreams, traumatic memories, and general difficulty in managing symptoms and everyday life. Fortunately, many veterans who struggle with their mental health are able to find relief through the use of cannabis, which can mitigate anxiety, depression, trauma responses, and sleep issues. Utilizing cannabis to cope with these challenges can help individuals to avoid other potentially addictive prescription medications, such as benzodiazepines, which are often used in acute episodes of anxiety or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

There are around 18 million veterans living in the United States today. We believe that each of them deserves full access to safe treatment options, especially cannabis. Access to cannabis, in conjunction with any pharmaceuticals prescribed for their individual needs, empowers veterans to make important, educated decisions about their own health care and symptom management. We want to give back to those who have given so much to us, so check out our November program which allows customers to buy a veteran a pre-roll to thank them for their service. We will also be providing free HOG Medic pre-rolls for veterans in-store starting on Veteran’s Day until we run out. HOG Cannabis Co. cultivates small batch, premium medical and adult use cannabis strains. Their focus is on cultivating clean and potent cannabis with their team of talented and experienced farmers. HOG Cannabis is proudly family and veteran-owned and based in Rockford, Michigan.