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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/sup> During this time there was no differentiation between the terms hemp and cannabis. It wasn\u2019t until 1753 that the scientific term cannabis was used to describe the hemp plant in the US.2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most famous hemp farmers from that time was George Washington – the Commander of the Continental Army and our First President. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2026 in a diary entry from August 1765, George Washington wrote, \u201c… began to separate the male from the female hemp \u2026\u201d1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2013 since this is usually done to boost the levels of cannabinoids like THC in cannabis plants. Of course, this is just speculation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about the History of Cannabis in the U.S.A<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though Hemp had served as an important crop for our young country, the \u201cMarihuana\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s when the USDA initiated the \u201cHemp for Victory\u201d program to encourage farmers to grow as much hemp as possible to help make rope for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Even after having served as a valuable crop for centuries and having helped with the war effort, hemp\/cannabis was made illegal once again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about: What Is Cannabis? Is It Different from Hemp & Marijuana?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, many U.S. military veterans still deal with this stigma if they turn to cannabis to help treat symptoms related to their war injuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says that American veterans can discuss cannabis use with their doctors – without fear of repercussions – VA Doctors cannot prescribe cannabis as treatment.3<\/sup> The potential to provide natural relief for many of the issues they face, makes it easy to understand why so many of our veterans are turning to cannabis as medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent VA report looking into cannabis use and PTSD among veterans found that cannabis use among veterans is increasing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, in 2014, 9% of Veterans in the U.S. reported using cannabis in the past year. 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. Although more research is needed, early results seem promising for those looking to treat their PTSD symptoms with cannabis. In September of 2020, research published in The Journal of Affective Disorders<\/em> indicated that inhaled cannabis was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms by more than 50%. Click here<\/a> to learn how your endocannabinoid system could be the key to unlocking your body\u2019s natural healing powers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies conducted a study in December of 2020 that compared participants diagnosed with PTSD who used medicinal cannabis, with those with PTSD who did not use cannabis to treat their symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The study determined that those who medicated with cannabis reported significant improvement of their symptoms and were 2.5 times more likely to recover from PTSD than those who did not medicate with cannabis.6<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although more research is needed, it is promising to see that recent research reinforces what many with PTSD have already known – cannabis may help to provide relief from PTSD symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, there are many support groups that have been established to help veterans receive access to the medicine they need to treat their medical conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One such group is the Veterans Cannabis Project <\/a>– a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating lawmakers and veterans about the meaningful health benefits of cannabis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Veterans Cannabis Project is dedicated to improving U.S. military veterans\u2019 quality of life through cannabis. They believe that medical cannabis can save lives and that veterans deserve full and legal access to it. Bloom is thankful for the service and sacrifice of our country\u2019s veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is why we are proud to offer U.S. Veterans of the Armed Forces a special discount. Consultations are available by phone, in-person, or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDid the Commander in Chief, Cheef?<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHemp\u2019s Role in U.S. War Efforts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
But, once the war ended, restrictions on growing and selling hemp, and the heavy taxes, were put back into place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/independence-built-hemp-2-1024x507.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLegal Longer than It\u2019s Been Illegal<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Veterans and Cannabis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is unfortunate considering that cannabis has shown potential to provide relief for many of the issues veterans face after returning home from combat, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/veteran-cannabis-support-1024x507.jpg\")
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Do Many Veterans Use Cannabis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\nDoes Cannabis Help with PTSD?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
PTSD affects about 3.5% of adults in the U.S. Unfortunately, the numbers are higher for our veterans.
It\u2019s 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\u2019s 15%.4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\nResearch on Cannabis as Treatment for PTSD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The study also highlighted emerging evidence that the endocannabinoid system may represent a viable target for treating PTSD.5<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\nTHC in the Treatment of PTSD Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/help-with-ptsd-1024x507.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nResearch Reinforces What Many Veterans Have Known<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Veterans Cannabis Support Groups <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nLearn more about how you can Join the Fight for Veterans\u2019 Cannabis Access<\/a>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bloom Discounts for U.S. Veterans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So, if you\u2019re a Veteran, please make sure to mention your Veteran status at checkout to redeem your savings.
Thank You for Your Service!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n