Happy Veterans Day! We would like to thank and honor all of those who have served in the United States military, from all of us at Cloud Cannabis Co. We want to also acknowledge the struggles many service members face with healthcare once they return home. Often, veterans return to the states with new medical challenges and conditions in desperate need of adequate treatment and support. Over half of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have some form of chronic pain, and experts estimate up to 30% of veterans who have seen combat develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. These are percentages of the nearly 18 million veterans in the United States. They all deserve access to safe treatment options that provide comfort and relief.

The Department of Veterans Affairs often prescribes heavy duty pharmaceuticals and opioid painkillers, which can be helpful for many, but are not the right fit for everyone. More and more veterans are speaking out about the dangers of these prescriptions and their potential to create dependency and substance abuse, especially when used long term. Veterans are twice as likely to die from accidental opioid overdose compared to non-veterans. The good news is, cannabis can be used as a helpful and safe alternative (or addition) to many prescription medications. Weed is both anti-inflammatory and analgesic, making it a safe alternative for long term pain management. Studies show that access to cannabis in lieu of pharmaceuticals can help people to avoid opioid dependence and opioid related deaths. Perhaps this is why 83% of American veterans support nationwide access to medical marijuana.

Weed can help with a diverse array of symptoms and medical challenges, including traumatic brain injury, PTSD, sleep issues, chronic pain and inflammation, appetite, ADHD, depression, and more. For many, it improves quality of life with few sacrifices and side effects. Another strength of cannabis is that it can be used both in acute situations and otherwise, making it a versatile treatment option. In terms of mental health, marijuana can present an alternative to potentially addictive psychiatric medications such as benzodiazepines, which are often prescribed for PTSD and anxiety disorders. Veterans deserve to feel empowered to make educated decisions about their own health care and symptom management. Access to cannabis, in conjunction with any pharmaceuticals prescribed for their individual needs, can be life changing.

We are proud to have worked with our sister company, High Minded Cannabis Co, to sell DD420, a special strain raising money for 92 for 22, a nonprofit organization named after the tragic statistic that on average, 22 veterans die by suicide each day in America. 92 for 22 adapts homes for injured veterans and assists with therapeutic accommodations. It is baked into our Culture of Good to give back to our community, and we are proud to give back to those who have sacrificed so much.