Bloom Is Thankful for U.S. Veterans!

In honor of Veterans Day and National Veterans Awareness Week, Bloom would like to take a moment to express how thankful we are for the service and sacrifice of our country’s veterans. To all Bloom patients, employees, and blog readers who have served our country, Thank You!

Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and your patriotism.

When it comes to the topic of veterans, the military, and cannabis, many are surprised to hear they have a somewhat complementary history that goes back centuries.

Back in 1606, hemp was an important crop for Colonial America. Hemp was used to make things like canvas, paper, cloth, rope, and sails. It played such a key role for the economy that in 1619, Jamestown announced an order requiring all farmers to grow hemp.1 During this time there was no differentiation between the terms hemp and cannabis. It wasn’t until 1753 that the scientific term cannabis was used to describe the hemp plant in the US.2

One of the most famous hemp farmers from that time was George Washington - the Commander of the Continental Army and our First President.

Did the Commander in Chief, Cheef?

George Washington grew hemp at his Mount Vernon estate. Washington believed that hemp could be more profitable as a crop than tobacco due to its wide range of potential uses. Speaking of possible uses … in a diary entry from August 1765, George Washington wrote, “… began to separate the male from the female hemp …”1

There are some who believe that George Washington writing about separating male and female plants could be evidence that he was interested in the psychoactive properties of cannabis – since this is usually done to boost the levels of cannabinoids like THC in cannabis plants. Of course, this is just speculation.

Learn more about the History of Cannabis in the U.S.A

Hemp’s Role in U.S. War Efforts

Even though Hemp had served as an important crop for our young country, the “Marihuana” Tax Act of 1937 heavily taxed hemp and essentially banned it. However, in 1942 the U.S Government had to soften its stance on hemp.

That’s when the USDA initiated the “Hemp for Victory” program to encourage farmers to grow as much hemp as possible to help make rope for the U.S. Navy during World War II.

But, once the war ended, restrictions on growing and selling hemp, and the heavy taxes, were put back into place.

Even after having served as a valuable crop for centuries and having helped with the war effort, hemp/cannabis was made illegal once again.

Learn more about: What Is Cannabis? Is It Different from Hemp & Marijuana?

Legal Longer than It’s Been Illegal

Cannabis/Hemp was legal and accepted as a valuable crop in the US as far back as 1606. It was not made illegal until the 1930s and remained illegal until 1996.

Although cannabis was legal for over 300 years and only illegal for a little over half a century, that illegal status left a lasting stigma.

Veterans and Cannabis

Unfortunately, many U.S. military veterans who use cannabis still deal with this stigma.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says veterans can discuss cannabis use with their VA providers without losing VA benefits, but VA doctors can’t recommend or prescribe cannabis, and VA facilities don’t provide it.3

Many veterans live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, trouble sleeping, depression or anxiety, and some have asked whether cannabis could help.

Do Many Veterans Use Cannabis?

A recent VA report looking into cannabis use and PTSD among veterans found that cannabis use among veterans is increasing.

For example, in 2014, 9% of Veterans in the U.S. reported using cannabis in the past year.

About five years later, in 2019-2020, 11.9% of U.S. military veterans had used cannabis during the last 6 months. And for veterans between the ages of 18 and 44, the number was much higher at 20%. It is interesting to note that only 14% of the general population between 18 and 44 had used cannabis within the past six months.3

What Does Research Say About Cannabis and PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can occur after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event like a severe injury, a natural disaster, or war.

PTSD affects about 3.5% of adults in the U.S. Unfortunately, the numbers are higher for our veterans.

It’s estimated that up to 20% of our soldiers who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have experienced PTSD. Of those who served in the Gulf War, about 12% have experienced PTSD and of those who served in the Vietnam War it’s 15%.4

Researchers are studying cannabis and PTSD, but the evidence so far is mixed. Some studies have found people reporting short-term symptom relief, while others have found no lasting benefit or raised concerns about dependence and worsening symptoms with heavy use. The VA’s National Center for PTSD notes that there isn’t enough evidence to recommend cannabis as a PTSD treatment, and that effective treatments such as trauma-focused therapy are available.3

If you’re a veteran dealing with PTSD, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7: dial 988 and press 1.

Veterans Cannabis Advocacy

Several groups advocate for veterans on cannabis policy. One is the Veterans Cannabis Project, a nonprofit that works to educate lawmakers and veterans and to expand veterans’ legal access to medical cannabis and research.

Learn more about how you can Join the Fight for Veterans’ Cannabis Access.

Bloom Discounts for U.S. Veterans

Bloom is thankful for the service and sacrifice of our country’s veterans.

That is why we are proud to offer U.S. veterans of the Armed Forces a 30% veteran discount year-round at every Bloom dispensary in Ohio and Maryland.

So, if you’re a veteran, please make sure to mention your veteran status at checkout to redeem your savings.

Thank You for Your Service!

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1. Hemp and Our Founding Fathers | World History
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
3. Cannabis Use and PTSD Among Veterans
4. How Common is PTSD in Veterans? - PTSD: National Center for PTSD