HeroGrown Magazine Veterans Day 2018 Special Issue

veterans day special issue • veterans day special

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SUPPORTING CANNABIS FOR VETERANS & FIRST RESPONDERS

WHY WE FIGHT A VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE

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NEVADA CANNABIS

@HeroGrownNV ASK YOUR FAVORITE DISPENSARY TO SUPPORT HEROGROWN’S MISSION TO SAVE AMERICA’S HEROES Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older.

produced by

VETERANS DAY

LETTER FROM

OUR FOUNDER CONTENTS 06 ABOUT HEROGROWN FOUNDATION

07 MONTHLY BRIEFING

08

“

Welcome to the Veterans Day edition of HeroGrown Magazine! Whether you are active duty military, a veteran, first responder, or the family member of one of these American heroes, HeroGrown Magazine is your connection to the legal cannabis world.

Veterans Day affords all Americans the opportunity to express appreciation for the

CANADA GOES ALL IN with cannabis

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FINDING HOPE WITH CANNABIS

Real stories from HeroGrown Members

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GRANDMA’S DANKSGIVING RECIPES

Not Your Grandmother’s Thanksgiving

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LEGAL BRIEFING

State vs. Federal Marijuana Law

sacrifices that military service members and their families have made in order to protect the freedoms we all enjoy.

There is a story behind every Veteran.

Some from my era had no choice; they were drafted. My high draft number eliminated any possibility of my being drafted. I enlisted in the Army because I felt a duty to serve, just as so many members of my family had done since this Nation’s founding.

This issue of HeroGrown Magazine contains the personal stories of Vets who have chosen to share their reasons for agreeing to risk their

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HEROGROWN PROFILE

SSG Grumpy Grandpa & Dabbing Granny

18

THE GREAT HYPOCRISY

of cannabis legalization

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Cover Story: WHY WE FIGHT

A VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE

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WHY THEY FOUGHT

Stories from HeroGrown Members

lives in service to our country. To those authors, thank you for your service, as well as for having the courage to share personal details of your life.

We will continue to publish the personal stories of America’s heroes in future issues and I encourage you to share yours.

We will begin publishing HeroGrown Magazine on a regular basis in January 2019.

Wishing you a fun and safe Veterans Day weekend with your brothers, sisters, friends, and family and thank you for the honor of serving you!

PG. 18 ROGER B. MARTIN GET IN TOUCH And follow us on social media!

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Founder, HeroGrown Foundation Email: Inquiry@herogrown.org Facebook.com/herogrown Instagram @herogrown Twitter @herogrown

Copyright ©2018 HG FOUNDATION. All Rights Reserved. HeroGrown™ and the cannabis leaf/ American Flag design combination are trademarks and/or copyrights of HGC MEDIA LLC and are used under license. No Part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

Information contained herein is NOT intended to be taken as medical advice. Do not make medical decisions without first consulting your personal physician or health care practitioner. No therapeutic or medical claims are either implied or made. Circulation targeted exclusively for persons over 21 years of age in cannabis legal jurisdictions. Cover photo: ©zorandim75/stock.adobe.com. Some photos courtesy of Bigstock.com, stock.adobe.com.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES Anyone who is depressed, despairing, going through a hard time, or just needs to talk, including people who are thinking about suicide, please contact 1-800-273 TALK.

Safe Call Now

Crisis Text Line

The Veterans Crisis Line connects

Safe Call Now is a resource for public

Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for

Veterans in crisis and their families and

safety employees to speak confidentially

those in crisis. Text 741741 from any-

friends with qualified, caring Department

with officers, former law enforcement

where in the US to text with a trained

of Veterans Affairs responders through a

officers, public safety professionals and/

Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line trains

confidential toll-free hotline, online chat,

or mental healthcare providers who are

volunteers to support people in crisis.

or text. Veterans and their loved ones can

familiar with your line of work. Safe Call

We fight for the texter. Our first priority is

call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat

Now is a CONFIDENTIAL, comprehensive,

helping people move from a hot moment

online, or send a text message to 838255

24-hour crisis referral service for all pub-

to a cool calm, guiding you to create a

to receive confidential support 24 hours a

lic safety employees, all emergency ser-

plan to stay safe and healthy. YOU = our

day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

vices personnel and their family members

priority.

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

nationwide.

https://www.crisistextline.org

The Veterans Crisis Line

https://www.safecallnow.org

Caregiver Support Line

Substance Abuse Helpline

Caregivers play an important role in the

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-

health and well-being of Veterans. The

662-HELP (4357), is a confidential, free,

homelessness—and their family members,

Caregiver Support Program offers training,

24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, informa-

friends and supporters—can make the

educational resources, and multiple tools

tion service, in English and Spanish, for

call to or chat online with the National

to help you succeed. With VA’s Caregiver

individuals and family members facing

Call Center for Homeless Veterans, where

Support Line – 1-855-260-3274 – assis-

mental and/or substance use disorders.

trained counselors are ready to talk confi-

tance is just a quick phone call away. If

This service provides referrals to local

dentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

you’re just getting started with VA, calling

treatment facilities, support groups, and

https://www.va.gov/homeless/

the Caregiver Support Line is a great first

community-based organizations. Callers

step to take to learn more about the sup-

can also order free publications and other

port that’s available to you.

information.

https://www.caregiver.va.gov/

https://www.samhsa.gov/

Housing Assistance for Veterans Veterans who are homeless or at risk of

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ABOUT HEROGROWN FOUNDATION Over 50 Veterans and First Responders die everyday from suicide and prescription drug overdose. It’s time to try something different!

someone for choosing to medicate with cannabis instead of opioids.

NOT A MEMBER YET? Free and strictly confidential mem-

There are over 20 million military veterans, over 2 million

bership is open to all active duty military, reservists, military

active duty military and reservists, as well as tens of millions

veterans, current and former first responders, and family mem-

of active and retired first responders. In the shadows, a count-

bers. Our fight to enact change in legislation is bolstered by

less number of these heroes desperately struggle to cope with

our growing membership base - please join today and spread

the pain, stress, and the emotional toll of their service. When

the word!

one of these warriors summons the courage to call out for help, they’re usually answered with prescriptions for addictive and deadly opiates, sleeping pills, and antidepressants. With

JOIN HEROGROWN AT HEROGROWN.ORG/JOIN AND GET 15% OFF HEROGROWN GEAR! HEROGROWN.ORG/SHOP

an American dying every 5 minutes from these drugs, cannabis should be considered as a natural and 100% safe first alternative.

Founded in 2014 as Grow for Vets, HeroGrown is nationally recognized as the preeminent organization fighting for our heroes’ right to choose cannabis. We believe they’ve earned the right to use the medicine of their choice without risking their job, medical benefits, or freedom. It’s our mission to raise awareness, advocate, and assist with the use of cannabis as a safe alternative to prescription drugs.

HeroGrown is also actively lobbying to stop employers and health insurers from testing for the use of cannabis in jurisdictions where cannabis is legal. If cannabis use takes place away from work, we don’t think it’s fair for employers to penalize

; I served 8 1/2 “I am a 100% Service C onnected Veteran of the US Army twice to the years as a C ombat Medic, I deployed twice to Afghanistan, explain the Balt ic states and once to Romania. I cannot even begin to in Flori da heali ng I’ve found withi n the cannabis community. “- Chris lf am a veteran...

“Hey guy this is truly amazing what you are doing I myse in Il I too have reaped many benef its from the plant.” Matthew

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n’t “Just got my CBD AirDrop in today! Thank you!!! It could have arrived on a day where I could use it more than today.”.

-Just in via Facebook on/F B “Thank you I just received my AirDrop in the mail box.”-Carlt “Thank you for the Air Dro p.” - Padraic in Ok

We delivered $30,000 worth of free CBD items to members in October!

Our CBD AirDrop program has been helping hundreds of HeroGrown members supplement their medicine each month. In October, we delivered over $30,000 worth of CBD Capsules, CBD Hemp Oil, Hemp Pain Patches, and CBD Vape Oil. We are very proud that every single member who applied received an AirDrop shipment!

If you know of a company that might be willing to assist us with our lifesaving mission, please pass along their contact information to us at: inquiry@herogrown.org.

Bud4Bottles Giveaway Event in Las Vegas

BUD4BOTTLES GIVEAWAY EVENT

Our first Bud4Bottles event in Las Vegas was a huge success! HeroGrown members turned in their empty bottles in exchange for $20,000 in cannabis, CBD items, and prizes. More than 800 prescription pill bottles were collected from Veterans who shared their inspirational stories about dumping deadly pills for cannabis. HeroGrown Foundation hopes to hold similar giveaway events in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington to spread awareness of opioid dangers while supplying members with free cannabis. We are planning a special event that will send these empty bottles off with a bang!

HeroGrown Brand of Cannabis Products Launches in Nevada This Veterans Day weekend also marks an important milestone for HeroGrown Foundation — the introduction of the HeroGrown Cannabis Brand! Initially offered in Nevada, HeroGrown Cannabis products are produced exclusively by Aether Gardens and tested by HeroGrown’s official testing lab, DB Labs. Aether Gardens was chosen not only based on their state-of-the-art cultivation and manufacturing facilities, but because the Aether Gardens team, including many veterans, share our absolute commitment to providing heroes with the highest quality cannabis products possible. We selected DB Labs to act as HeroGrown’s official testing lab more than a year ago based upon the fact that their ownership and staff, as well as their testing standards and equipment, are unrivaled in Nevada. Nevada Made Marijuana, with dispensary locations in both Henderson and Laughlin, has been selected to be the first to offer the HeroGrown Cannabis Brand in Nevada. Sales of HeroGrown cannabis support HeroGrown Foundation’s mission to save the 50 American Heroes who die needlessly each day of suicide and prescription drug overdose.

The HeroGrown Dispensary Discount Network is Now Live!

We are building a network of dispensaries that offer a discount to veterans and/or first responders at https://herogrown.org/discount-network -- let your favorite dispensary know they can be listed for free if they offer a discount! If they don’t offer a discount, ask them to get onboard and support those who served!

View the map at: https://herogrown.org/discount-network HEROGROWN DISCOUNT NETWORK

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BY LANCE C. LAMBERT Lance is the former GM of The Cannabist, Publisher of Marijuana.com, and Director of Media at Weedmaps. He currently heads up the herbal division at Boveda. He is a cancer survivor, and advocate for medicinal cannabis.

T

he last few

did the investments in

months within

several top publicly-traded

the cannabis

Canadian licensed produc-

industry, both

ers (LP). Aurora, Canopy,

domestically and interna-

and Tilray amongst others

tionally, have been busy.

saw exponential injections,

California released its

with significant investment

permanent regulations,

coming from this side of

while Portugal’s parlia-

the border. Meanwhile, our

ment legalized medical

government was busy with

cannabis on the other side

tariffs and digital warfare,

of the globe. We also saw

flip-flopping on the topic

Hawaii announce approval

of cannabis depending on

of reciprocity for all U.S.

the branch of government.

medical card holders. And

While the patrol continues

then Georgia legalized cannabis, the first-ever former Soviet

barring entry of Canadians employed or even invested in the

Republic country to do so. It’s a fast-moving space, and that old

business, the FDA dropped Cannabidoil (CBD) to schedule V

cliche ‘the only thing constant is change’ could not be more

-- but only for GW Pharmaceuticals’ new drug, per the DEA. All

accurate.

the while states continue moving forward to “free the plant” as

Beyond all of the above, there was one place where legal-

Max Stone of The Hemp Embassy in Australia says.

ization held a high level of anticipation: Canada. This is big,

When you remember that 4/5 of the U.S. have some form of

as in second largest landmass country in the world big. This

legal cannabis (from cannabinoid derivatives only to full adult-

was to be a true watershed moment for the industry. While

use), it’s obvious what the people want. In fact, the latest poll

California has about three million more residents than Canada

showed 64% of the U.S. populous are pro-cannabis. No matter

(39.5m vs. 36.5m), they are a G7 country. And the export poten-

if you grew up in the racist-driven anti ‘marijuana’ movement

tial is very real for this friendly commonwealth country to our

era of Nixon or the Daryl Gates D.A.R.E. program of the ‘80s

North. That’s the real play for all investing in that space.

(read Baby Boomers, GenX, and GenY), you likely know by now

The actual date to go ‘online’ was shifted several times but President Trudeau assured the world October 17, 2018 would be the big day … and it was. As the anticipation built up, so

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that this is a miracle plant, not a menace to society. And it is official, cannabis has become a non-partisan topic to boot.

I’ve personally worked twenty-four industry shows around

the world in 2018 to date, taking me from Australia to Spain, England to Israel, and all across North America. The question ‘when is the U.S. going fully legal?’ is asked constantly. Knowing our government and the current climate, I typically say the soonest is in three to five years, but more likely in a decade. Why such a spread you ask? Well, the change could be pushed from two different directions. If our government lets big pharma sneak in and take over, it will go federally legal sooner. This can happen by going from a schedule I to schedule II drug. This ‘extreme capitalism’ stance will keep all others at bay. Then there’s option two, which a majority of pro-cannabis folks support. That would be full de-scheduling of cannabis altogether. This allows the freedom desired for the future of the industry as a whole.

No matter which way things play out here in America, Canada will be miles ahead in the world domination race.

Several Canadian LPs have active operations from Columbia, Jamaica, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, and the list goes on.

In speaking to an LP during the Grow Up Expo in Niagara Falls, they shared having plants on the ground in Australia sitting in a year-long quarantine. Everywhere I go in my travels I seem to keep running into Canadians.

Our country is a leader in many spaces, just look at tech and dot com. But what’s to be said for cannabis? Sure we have the coveted Emerald Triangle and great genetics from generations of growers thereof.

But we don’t lead in the study of the plant, that’s Israel’s dominion. And we certainly don’t dominate the [legal] export market, Canada is all over that. If winning in the cannabis space was a game of Monopoly, Canada has officially secured a better part of the board this year, passing go and collecting far more than $300 along the way.

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NAVY VETERAN FINDS NATURAL RELIEF WITH CANNABIS I am a wife and mother of 2 kids.

My husband is still active duty so we move around a lot but are currently in Arizona.

I was in the Navy for one tour and served in Japan forward deployed with a squadron on the Kitty Hawk from 20032006. I was an aviation ordnanceman which means I loaded bombs, guns, and missiles onto F/A-18 hornets and super hornets. I worked mostly on a flight line but when deployed I worked on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.

There were a few events I saw that still sometimes get to me and a few old injuries that have just gotten worse over the years. My foot was run over by a fully-loaded skid carrying missiles during my last deployment. My boots weren’t properly fitted and I was waiting on supply to get me new ones, so it ended up breaking part of my foot in a couple spots. This was never taken care of, I kept getting blown off by medical and by the time I was able to get in to be seen we had found out I was pregnant and was told they couldn’t do anything for me at that time. The VA also stated it wasn’t their issue (so to speak).

I also have issues with my shoulder and back that keep getting worse.

I went into law enforcement as a 911 dispatcher for 2 years.

Working as a dispatcher for a small town I didn’t deal with a lot of calls for service that were really horrible, but there were a few that I think about from time to time. They weren’t difficult by any means and our officers always handled the calls so smoothly.

But a few things happened in my neighborhood that when I pass the houses I can’t help but think of the family and wonder how they are doing.

I started thinking about using cannabis this last year when I needed to go in to get a steroid shot and had to stop taking most of my prescriptions for 10 days before getting it. It was horrible stopping them. My body didn’t know what to do. It was like withdrawals. I realized then just how dependent I had

become on them for pain, sleep, anxiety, etc. I was taking multiple ones every day just to function pretty much but never while at work.

Sometimes those 12-16 hour shifts would be brutal on the migraines or pain and I would have to wait until I left to take anything. That was when I started looking into a more natural remedy and doing more research on using medical marijuana.

Switching to MMJ really helped with all my issues and has helped me get rid of all the pills and I am a lot less stressed and anxious. It’s been a pretty positive change for me.

My immediate supervisor knows, but unfortunately my CEO and Board of Directors do not know. I’m not entirely sure if it would be a negative reaction or if they would rather not have this associated with our image which is why I chose to leave my full name out of this.

I have met a few vets through my work that use MMJ and they say it has made a huge difference for them. Others in states that it is not permitted have stated they wish it was. I also have several veteran friends that use it for their issues and they all would much rather use this than to put so many chemicals in their bodies. Especially when the VA is not very good about getting you in for an appointment before you need a refill and you are stuck going cold turkey on pills they say you should never do that with. I would absolutely recommend it for other veterans and first responders dealing with their own demons and injuries. It really does help with so many issues and instead of taking 8-10 pills or more every day, I pop an edible or I take a couple hits and it helps without causing damage to my organs or having a long list of adverse side effects and reactions. It has helped me and so many other people I know who deal with these issues. I also use CBD for anxiety and give it to my son as well to help him with his anxiety and sleep problems. It has made a huge difference for him overnight.

Switching to MMJ really helped with all my issues... got rid of all the pills and I am a lot less stressed and anxious.

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VETERAN COUPLE USE CANNABIS TO TREAT PTSD AND ANXIETY, BUT DESPAIRED BY COST My wife and I are both disabled veterans that suffer from many issues. Between her anxiety and PTSD, and my chronic pain and PTSD, we began to spiral out of control with the cocktail of meds that we were taking and started feeling hopeless alongside some of our peers that were losing their battles with suicide.

Something had to change, so we did

ed with marijuana from being a kid in the

cause of our issues, the medicines, we began researching cannabis. We noticed that there was not a lot of information, so we had to self-test. I had used recreationally in my teens and knew more about the values. I was convinced, years ago, that cannabis would help my wife with her anxiety.

We began testing after it became legal in WA. So much negative stigma associat-

‘THE POWER OF THE FLOWER’ I am a proud combat

80’s and the “Just Say No” campaign that

war veteran of the

terrified us of the harmful drugs that we

United States Navy

were opening ourselves up to. Been there

and former medaled

and done that only we were trusting our

Army National Guard

doctors. We jumped to cannabis and are

servicewoman. I hold

“We jumped to cannabis and are not looking back.”

the research first. After determining the

PROUD VETERAN HARNESSES

not looking back.

I cannot express

my head high, as I advocate, use and believe in the

how amazing we

power of the flower! I have used cannabis

are now, but it is

as a tool to combat obesity, insomnia (after

expensive to get our

my mother’s passing), kick alcohol use,

medicines. Still bet-

defeat homelessness and transition into a

ter than the alternative but I have found a

holistic way of thinking/being.

great deal of depression knowing that so

As someone who has worked for vet-

many are still suffering and I cannot even

erans and witnessed the destruction of

go to pain management clinics at VA with-

mind, body and spirit by cause of opioid,

out feeling my heartbreak. So many have

alcohol, and hard drug abuse; I take a firm

given so much to our country and are left

stand, raise my right hand, thanking God

in despair, like my wife, and I was. I hope

for cannabis. Cannabis continues to impact

that they will recover but I know that they

my life in a positive way through belief

will not if we do not do anything. -Via

and meditation. I recently self-published

Email from Christopher in Washington.

my first novel The Staging of a Coup; An Autobiography of My Self-Triumph. Brother & Sister in Arms is a powerful, featured

Want to share your story?

Email it to

magazine@ herogrown.org

piece that I hope will raise awareness of PTSD in the Armed Forces and the holistic approach we can take to combat it. There is hope! - Lace S.

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Danksgiving GRANDMA’S

RECIPES

OD GREEN GRAVY

Ingredients: 4 Cups Turkey Stock ½ C Flour 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce 2 Tablespoons Dried Rosemary 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper ¼ C Cannabis-Infused Butter/Coconut Oil

Instructions: 1. In a medium saucepan whisk turkey stock, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper over medium-high heat 2. Slowly incorporate flour into the mixture 3. Bring mixture to a boil and immediately reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat 4. Whisk in dried rosemary 5. Whisk in infused butter and continue simmering sauce to desired thickness 6. Remove from heat and let cool Reheat over medium-low heat before serving over turkey and mashed potatoes

POT PUMPKIN PIE Ingredients 8 ounce cream cheese, softened 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed 1 cup sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup half-and-half 1/3 cup CannaButter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 1 (9-inch) unbaked pastry shell whipped cream, for topping

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Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat cream in a large mixing bowl. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined.

Add the sugar and salt. Beat.

Add the eggs, half-and-half, and Cannabutter.

Beat until combined.

Beat in the remaining vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger until combined.

Pour the filling into the pie crust. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set.

Let pie cool and room temperature before topping with whipped cream.

(NOT YOUR)

GRANDMA’S HERB STUFFING Ingredients 1 1/2 cups cubed whole wheat bread 3 3/4 cups cubed white bread 1 pound ground turkey sausage 1 cup chopped onion 3/4 cup chopped celery 2 1/2 teaspoons dried sage 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 Golden Delicious apple, cored and chopped 3/4 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley 3/4 cup turkey stock 4 tablespoons cannabis infused butter, melted (please consider and measure your dosage carefully)

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degree F (175 degree C). Spread the white and whole wheat bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until evenly toasted. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl.

In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned.

Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to blend flavors.

Pour sausage mixture over bread in bowl. Mix in chopped apple, dried cranberries, and parsley. Drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter, and mix lightly. Allow stuffing to cool completely before loosely stuffing a turkey. Or, bake stuffing at 350 degrees in a 16x9 casserole dish until edges begin to crisp, about 30 min.

GRANDMA’S STERNLY WORDED ADVICE: EATING CANNABIS CAUSES A STRONGER REACTION THAN SMOKING AND IS BEST FOR EXPERIENCED CANNABIS CONSUMERS. ENJOY THESE RECIPES WITH CAUTION AND AT YOUR OWN RISK.

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LEGAL

BRIEFING

OPENING STATEMENT

I am honored to have been invited to write this article for HeroGrown Magazine. Issues relating to veterans are very near and dear to my heart.

Both of my grandfathers served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, my father served in the U.S. Marine Corps and I served in the U.S. Navy. I am blessed to have served my country and enjoy helping veterans when I am able to do so through my law practice. I hope this article will provide a basic overview of the relationship between state and federal marijuana laws and some of the legal risks associated with marijuana use.

Derek Connor is an attorney at Connor & Connor PLLC., a Nevada based law firm that focuses its practice on business law and regulatory compliance related to Nevada’s complex marijuana laws and regulations.

http://www.connorpllc.com/ Phone: 702-750-9139

BASIC TRAINING

under federal law; the answer is rooted

Overview of

Without getting too deep into a history

State vs. Federal

lesson, the United States of America is a

Marijuana Law.

concept of “Federalism,” our republic is

By Derek J. Connor Esq.

the Federal Government of the United

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republic, not a democracy. Through the made up of 50 state governments and States of America.

Historically, most governmental power

MARIJUANA & THE LAW

was vested in the states, but in the latter part of the 19th century (following

A significant portion of my practice

the Civil War) our nation saw an unprec-

is dedicated to providing patients and

edented shift in power to the Federal

entrepreneurs with legal advice regard-

Government at the expense of the states.

ing Nevada’s complex marijuana laws and

Federal law trumps state law pursuant

regulations. Unfortunately, there is still

to the supremacy clause of the United

a lot of confusion regarding marijuana

States Constitution; federal authorities

laws due to the contradiction between

are under no obligation to recognize a

state and federal law. While Nevada state

medical marijuana patient card or any

law, and the laws of several other states,

other state-issued certification allow-

allows for the use of marijuana for recre-

ing someone to possess, distribute, or

ational and medical purposes, marijuana

produce marijuana. See, U.S. Const. art.

remains illegal under the Controlled

VI cl. 2.

Substances Act. See, 21 U.S.C. 812. The federal government does not recognize

It is also important to understand that

the medical use of marijuana nor does it

states are not obligated to respect the

recognize state laws that contradict the

laws of other states with regard to mari-

federal prohibition.

juana. For example, if you buy marijuana in Colorado and travel with it to Utah,

I am often asked how something can be legal under state law when it is illegal

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in the very foundation of our nation.

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law enforcement in Utah can arrest you for violating Utah state law.

LEGAL RISKS FOR MARIJUANA USERS Marijuana use can also lead to legal problems at work. Most Because marijuana is illegal under federal law, and the laws

states do not provide protection for employees who are found

of several other jurisdictions, recreational users and patients

to have marijuana in their systems. Thus, if you are found to be

need to understand that they are taking a risk. The most obvi-

using marijuana, you could risk being denied employment, or be

ous risk is the potential for criminal prosecution. Marijuana is

terminated from your job, and you will have very little recourse.

unquestionably illegal under federal law and is subject to severe criminal penalties. The cultivation, possession and distribution of

A very sad issue that I see far too often involves marijuana

marijuana could lead to long prison terms and severe fines if the

use and child custody. I am often contacted by individuals who

federal government decided to prosecute you.

are marijuana users going through child custody disputes with their former partners. Because marijuana is federally illegal, the

While it is relatively unlikely that the federal government

non-user parent has often used the other parent’s marijuana use

would prosecute a low level recreational or medical user, it is

against them in court. I have seen judges place restrictions on

still legally possible. Most recreational or medical users are

the marijuana using parent, such as supervised visits and prohi-

unlikely to come into contact with law enforcement simply for

bitions on driving the child. This often places marijuana patients

buying or using marijuana, but users need to understand that

in the painful dilemma of choosing between the treatment that

there are some instances where contact

their doctors advised them of and spending time with their chil-

with federal law enforcement is more likely

dren (not to mention the significant costs in attorney fees and

(for example, when you are on federal

time).

property). Federal law enforcement officers are under no obligation to recognize state marijuana patient cards or state laws allowing for recreational use.

Another risk for marijuana users is the threat to their Second Amendment rights. Under federal law, and the laws of several states, marijuana users may not possess firearms. 18 U.S.C § 922(g)(3) prohibits any person who is an “unlawful user of or addicted to” any controlled substance, as defined by section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802), from possessing firearms or ammunition. Irrespective of the federal prohibition, some individuals are quite undeterred and will continue to use marijuana and firearms no matter what their government tells them.

Veterans who use marijuana face a variety of other legal risks as well. Using marijuana can lead to convictions for driving under the influence, even if the user was not under the influence at the time they were pulled over. States like Nevada set an arbitrary limit on the amount of THC or THC Metabolite that can be present in your blood while driving. You can still get a DUI if you have enough marijuana in your system, even if you are not visibly impaired.

CONCLUSION Fortunately, things are not all gloom and doom. Marijuana use is gaining wider acceptance. The number of state and local jurisdictions legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use increases almost every year. There is even progress at the federal level with regard to studies for marijuana as a treatment for certain ailments such as PTSD. Federal lawmakers and bureaucrats have expressed support for allowing veterans to use marijuana as a treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

While this progress is encouraging, the legal risks associated with marijuana use will not be alleviated until we have real change at the federal level. Veterans and their families who support marijuana use need to be politically active; contact your federal representatives and let them hear your voices. Until we have real reform of our marijuana laws at a federal level, veterans who use marijuana will still be subject to legal risks.

This article originally appeared in April’s issue.

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HeroGrown Profile

By HeroGrown Magazine Editorial Staff

W

hen Gail shared a video of herself smoking a dab

make love grow.” And don’t worry, the sudden fame hasn’t

(one of the most potent ways of consuming canna-

changed the Dabbing Granny, Kevin vouches that “She’s

bis) she had no clue she was about to break the internet.

the same as when we married, her personality is the same

The wholesome “granny” hitting a pipe was a nearly-

as it was back in 1974.” Kevin and Gail started smoking pot

instant viral sensation, receiving over a half-million views

in the ‘60s, both introduced to cannabis by soldiers return-

in one week. Recognizing the opportunity of her newfound

ing home from the Vietnam War — a twist of fate that fore-

notoriety, Gail dubbed herself as the Dabbing Granny and

shadowed their role as advocates for the rights of veterans

starting posting regular videos of her life as an avid can-

to use cannabis.

nabis consumer. Three years and over 800,000 loyal fol-

For over 30 years Gail managed to balance a life split

lowers later, the Dabbing Granny is the undisputed queen

between two conflicting worlds — as an Army spouse

of cannabis influencers, with companies across the can-

and pot smoker — even while living and working on Army

nabis industry vying for her endorsement. Her new role as

bases around the globe. In an interview with therooster.

a social media celebrity and cannabis influencer has her

com, Gail describes when the two worlds collided, bring-

traveling the world meeting with fans and industry leaders,

ing to an end her 24 years running a nonprofit thrift store

and along the way, redefining perceptions of how a canna-

on the Fort Carson

bis user looks and acts.

Army Base in Colorado

Posted at Dabbing Granny’s side is a figure easily mis-

Springs. “I was every-

taken for her bodyguard. After all, Dabbing Granny has

body’s grandma over

her fair share of overzealous fans. Donning Army gear, a

there,” she says. She’d

bad-ass beard, and a ‘don’t mess with me’ facial expression

hug soldiers on their

is Dabbing Granny’s Husband, Kevin. Grumpy Grandpa, as

way to the war zones

he’s also known, is a proud veteran of the US Army’s 97th

and think about them

Signal Battalion, a staunch advocate for veterans’ right to

every day until they

use cannabis, and a long-time member and supporter of

came back. Then she’d

HeroGrown (and HeroGrown’s predecessor Grow for Vets).

hug ‘em again if she

This Pot Power Couple, who met in the early ‘70s, sum-

could. This life of hers

marized their relationship for HeroGrown Magazine: “We

ended in early 2016,

were both born in June, Gemini... the Twins Castor & Pollox,

two months after her

the same but different, two sides of the same coin and our

first social media post

saying is it takes two to make one, it takes two hearts to

as Dabbing Granny.

Photos courtesy of Dabbing Granny Instagram @dabbing_granny

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She got so famous, word started to spread.

When officials found out she was the stoniest nana this side of Amsterdam, officials asked Gail to clear out her desk, and barred her from the base. “Old soldiers,” Dabbing Granny sighs, “kind of freak out about weed.”

The couple uses cannabis for its medical benefits, finding pain relief for broken ribs, a broken neck, sciatica, and diabetic neuropathy. It’s also helped with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Hepatic encephalopathy. As a veteran, Kevin’s use of cannabis has received a mixed reaction from doctors at the VA, ranging from unofficial support and curiosity, being called a “junkie” and cut off medications, and threatened with being kicked out of the VA Hospital. It’s the latter reactions the couple (along with HeroGrown) is committed to fighting. Together we see a future where veterans can use cannabis without fear of being bullied by the VA. In addition to their role as advocates, Dabbing Granny and Grumpy Grandpa use their platform to raise awareness and educate the public about issues they find important. Currently on their radar is the DEA’s highly controversial decision to reschedule CBD to benefit a single company - G.W. Pharmaceuticals. The DEA has received widespread condemnation for not including all CBD-based medications in the same classification as G.W. Pharmaceuticals product, Epidiolex. It has been reported that Epidiolex is expected to have a price tag of about $32,500. And while being touted as the first “natural,” non-synthetic cannabinoid to be FDA approved, the couple raises questions about how “natural” should be defined. In their opinion, Epidiolex does not meet the definition of what they believe is natural.

Don’t let their lighthearted monikers fool you, Dabbing Granny and Grumpy Grandpa are a serious force for progress in cannabis.

They are eroding long-perpetuated stereotypes about cannabis users: young and lazy, pacified and unpatriotic. If a “granny” and her Army Veteran husband can smoke pot while living positive, fulfilling lives in service of others, maybe marijuana isn’t so bad.

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The great hypocrisy of cannabis legalization is that the same state and local governments enjoying the tax windfall, prohibit employees from enjoying the benefits of cannabis.

By L.H. Nelson -- HeroGrown Editor-at-Large, US Navy veteran and public safety communications expert. LH@HeroGrown.org

HYPOCRISY of cannabis legalization

O

ne of the hardest parts about writing for a magazine whose purpose is to deliver information about the value of cannabis to veterans and first responders is the fact that veterans and first responders do not have the freedom to benefit from cannabis without facing serious consequences. For active duty military and first responders, it’s the threat of losing their job. For veterans, it’s the threat of losing their VA benefits. Because marijuana remains illegal under federal law, technically federal agents can come swinging down from their black helicopters and arrest anyone they want to, despite state laws put into effect by We the People legalizing it in one degree or another. But the reality is the casual user 18

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won’t be getting their doors knocked in by the men-in-black anytime soon. So what’s the big deal?

Employers are the big deal. Public safety employers are simply not willing to allow their current employees to utilize medical marijuana. But thankfully, more and more police, fire, and EMS agencies are softening their stance with regard to hiring candidates with a history of marijuana use. Cities such as Seattle, Phoenix, and Denver have reduced the amount of time a candidate has last utilized cannabis from three or more years to within the last 12 months. This is a big deal because it signals that our society as a whole is becoming more accepting of cannabis.

Continued on page 21

Continued from page 18

The great hypocrisy of cannabis legalization is that the same state and local governments enjoying the tax windfall, routinely prohibit their employees from enjoying the benefits of cannabis. In other words, cannabis is good enough to fund our schools, but too dangerous to be used by the brave men and women protecting our communities.

A common argument for allowing employees to use medicinal or recreational cannabis on their own time is that it should be treated the same as alcohol – drink if you want, but don’t come to work drunk. If you show up to work drunk, they will test you, find you guilty, and punish you. But employers argue that if you are drunk at work, people can smell it on your breath which makes on-duty detection very easy; something that cannabis cannot mimic.

Well news flash – you can’t “smell” legal prescription drug use either, yet employers have found ways to identity workers impaired by prescription drug use or abuse.

Employer policies typically state that you cannot drink at work, nor can alcohol be found in your system while at work.

So if we push employers to treat cannabis the same as alcohol, employers will have to take into account how much longer the substance will stay in your system. According to weedblog.com: • A one-time user may show positive for 1–6 days • Moderate users may show positive for 7–13 days • Frequent users may show positive for 15+ days • Heavy users may show positive for 30+ days Simply put, if cannabis is found in your system you will soon be standing on the unemployment line – even if you did it legally, on your own time, and didn’t show up high to work. The way I see it, the only way around this is to put pressure on municipal, state, and federal employment policy makers to treat

legal cannabis use the same as alcohol, but take into account the amount of time cannabis stays in your system. Just because I had a beer last Friday night, doesn’t mean I’m drunk on Monday.

And if you tested me, I’d be clean. If I show up to work displaying the types of symptoms associated with intoxication, then conduct a reasonable cause test and absolutely fire me if I’m found intoxicated. But if I consumed cannabis Friday night, legally, then leave me the hell alone on Monday when I’m back to work bright eyed and bushy tailed. But again, if I show up to work displaying the types of symptoms associated with being high, then conduct a reasonable cause test and absolutely fire me if I’m found to be high on the job.

Believe it or not, not all municipalities take such a hard stance on this issue.

According to an article on EMSWorld, the City of Camas in Washington State decided to treat marijuana usage among employees the same as alcohol. Of course it was met with a lot of resistance, but good for them for applying common sense.

So how can you get your employer to change their policies? Well, there really isn’t much you can do without potentially jeopardizing your own employment by admitting using cannabis against policy. However, organizations like HeroGrown exist to fight this fight on your behalf.

There are also congressmen like Matt Gaetz (R-FL) who is calling on federal agencies to study the use of medical marijuana by police officers as a form of mental health and well-being.

Late last year, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017 came out to protect the “psychological health and well-being of law enforcement officers” and requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report on Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs mental health practices and services that could also benefit local police agencies. Gaetz introduced an amendment to that Act that would require them to include medical marijuana in the report. Gaetz later withdrew the amendment without forcing a vote, but left his fellow congressmen and women with a lot to consider about becoming more supportive in removing obstacles to cannabis research and its benefits to the mental health of law enforcement officers. Even Attorney General Jeff Sessions came out in support of cannabis on April 25th saying that he now believes cannabis could be used medicinally and that the government should begin to invest more in its research.

Hopefully veterans and first responders across all jurisdictions will someday have access to the medicine they need to effectively deal with the pain and psychological issues brought on by their service to the citizens of this country.

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WHY WE FIGHT

By L.H. Nelson -- HeroGrown Editor-at-Large, US Navy veteran

and public safety communications expert. LH@HeroGrown.org

On Sunday, November 11th we will come together as a

through the same thing you are going through. Consider utilizing

nation to celebrate Veterans Day. This celebration stems from

Veterans Day to get involved with a veterans group, or start your

the armistice of World War I in 1918 which became a national

own. If you believe in our freedom to seek cannabis as an alter-

holiday in 1954. The transition from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans

native to deadly, addictive opioid drugs being dished out by a VA

Day” was driven by a desire to include all U.S. Veterans who

bureaucracy, then consider making this fight your new mission.

served our country, not just those who served in WWI. Nowadays, Veterans Day is filled with parades and merchant

Even though we are proud owners of a DD-214, our fight for freedom is not over. Politicians give speeches about how we did

discounts intended to honor those of us who put everything on

our duty to keep our country free. Their narrative is well intend-

the line to do a job less than one percent of the nation wants to

ed, but tough to swallow. Last time I checked, we don’t have the

do. When Veterans Day comes around, we are reminded of what

freedom to drive a car, open a business, or catch a fish without

we did during our time in the service. Civilians will thank us for

permission from the same government we swore to defend. A

our service and we will awkwardly accept their well-intended

government that will not allow us, defenders of freedom, to treat

gestures of gratitude with grace and dignity. I once had a guy

ourselves with medicines like cannabis that we know not only

thank me for my service and bow to me in a Walmart. I’m still not

improves our quality of life, but in many cases has brought us

sure what I was supposed to do with that one, but it beats what

back from the brink of suicide. The battle rages on, not in some

our Vietnam Era veterans went through when they returned to a

god forsaken sand pit or dense jungle, but right here at home.

country that spit on them - literally and figuratively.

The battle to treat our physical and psychological wounds with

Each of us had our own reasons for joining. For me, the mili-

cannabis that we know helps us. Our voices are our rifles. Our

tary offered a skill, travel, and college money. For others it may

votes are an artillery barrage raining down on the ballot box

be to preserve a family legacy or to give terrorists some much

dialed in on an entrenched opposition that refuses to give up

needed payback. But I think it’s safe to say that whether you

ground on antiquated thinking. We must continue to put pres-

were a Navy cook or a Marine sniper, at some point you prob-

sure on our state and federal government to allow for cannabis

ably accepted the fact that on some level you were doing your

research. We who sacrificed, we who served, we who fought to

part to keep our country free and its interests secure. Some have

keep this country “free” must join ranks and rally to make our

sacrificed more than others in that endeavor, but all of us did

voices heard. You want to thank us for our service on Veterans

our part. We cooked, we sniped, and we came home from serving

Day? Thank us by removing the obstacles preventing us from liv-

our country different from how we left it. We were handed our

ing a better quality of life.

DD-214 and thrust back into a civilian life that many of us were

The mere fact that you are reading this article demon-

simply unprepared for. We experienced an overwhelming loss of

strates that you are at least open to the idea that we should

fraternity, duty, and purpose which can lead to depression and

have the freedom to utilize cannabis as a medicine. You have just

thoughts of suicide. We became stuck in some sort of bizarre

taken your first step towards a new mission. Hero Grown is doing

purgatory where we could not wait to get out, but wish we were

its part to get much needed cannabis products ‘air dropped’ to its

back in. We try and fit in with a civilian workforce that does not

members with the support of other freedom fighters. Hero Grown

understand our sense of humor or work ethic, so we distance

is dedicated to educating members and the public about alterna-

ourselves from them and become isolated even more, which in

tive treatment options that exist for veterans suffering from a

turn prompts feelings of depression. This cycle is quietly playing

system that keeps them in a perpetual cycle of self-destruction

out in the hearts and minds of veterans every single day.

through prescription and opioid drug use. Join our ranks and a

If you are like so many other veterans and feeling lost

make our mission your own - one team, one fight. Our fight is to

since getting out of the military, the solution is to find a new

advocate for the freedom to choose cannabis healing options.

mission and to surround yourself with veterans who are going

Freedom is why we fight.

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WHY THEY FOUGHT HEROGROWN MEMBER STORIES: IN THEIR WORDS, UNEDITED & UNCENSORED

Joining the Marine Corps was an easy decision. As a teenager I entered the Arizona Foster Care System and almost as soon as I was emancipated I stumbled into homelessness. I’d happily sign a contract in exchange for a place to sleep, warm meals every day and a reliable paycheck. It was a no brainer.

While joining the Corps was easy, serving was something entirely different. I believe I began truly serving my country four years in, after I’d become a mother, and after a domestic terrorist in Oklahoma showed America how vulnerable we were. That was when I realized it wasn’t about me any more, it was a higher calling; one to protect not only my daughter, but our democracy as well.

I spent my twenties, thirties, and some of my forty’s in the Marine Corps and while I may no longer wear the uniform or be in fighting shape, I’m still in fierce service of my nation and my fellow veterans. My advocacy centers on supporting survivors of military sexual trauma and seeing that veterans have safe-access to cannabis for treatment of their service-related injuries. I’m working for a future where veterans can manage their pain, whether physical or mental, without addiction, without pharmaceuticals and without suicide. Cannabis is a bridge to that future. -Joy C.

Hi everyone, my name is Julian. I learned to be the strength of my family through learning to cook meals for my sister while my mother recovered from her hips which had plagued her since her childhood. So family was always very important for me. Growing up between a small "Hometown boy" life style in northwest Indiana and a deeply seeded Hispanic community on the south side of Chicago where we had a family owned restaurant. I learned not only the value if family but my community.

After we had to close the restaurant due to my grandfather being ill and having suffered the effects of a stroke, aneurysm on top of a subdural bleed in his brain, family became more important to me. Once I realized my freshman year in college as a welding major I realized my parents could only afford to have put either my sister or myself through college I looked at finally serving more than my family and wanted to serve my country and make a real difference with my life. I left for Basic Training on Jan. 17th 2007 and served 5 yrs active duty with the United States Army and had the pleasure of completing a 15 month tour in Iraq from Nov. 8th 2007 to Feb. 1 2009. -Julian C.

Aug. 76 found me lost at age 20 life was hard 9th grade last completed walked into a navy recruiter on a Monday that Saturday Great Lakes arrived just like that was in big time no worries Carter is President. Been loving the herb since age 12 knowing did me justice sucked was against the rules in 82 had to start pissing in bottles so gave it up smoking nothing but cigs and started downing alcohol said ok,,,,,, you don’t kill my ass when do 20 will take pension and buy what is now my meds on your dime for rest of life made a pact with the devil to give my body away to the Government for 20 years made E-6/BM1. Was on the Lexington, Pensacola, the Pyro and the Carl Vinson deck dept.

Here is a picture of me and my girl friend Suzanna. I served for many reasons most of which was to be a part of community to feel valued I was a lost grown up kid looking for a foot in life.

Now got it made in shade were it not for prohibition. America is divided by zip code. One zip have cannabis meds provided free as are disabled vet or another like mine in Texas get cuffed and stuffed then get thanked on Veterans day for service. Abbot must laugh about that shit. -Gerald G. 24

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I joined because honestly a friend of mine had a recruiter call me I was in the gym before School and a recruiter called me and was like “your buddy is tougher than you because he was joining the Marines” I was like “Negative Sir, I’ll see you later today” later that day after school my friend and I went the office and damn near next thing I know I was on the yellow footprints in MCRD San Diego. I didn’t have too many options post High school and I can truly say the best dumb decision I ever made. Great decision Bad way to go about it. -Steven H.

I joined the service as an opportunity to be able to provide a future for myself and family. I’m glad I did it, now that it’s all over, because my life is secure...but it came at a very high price, one that I would never ever want anyone to have to experience. My advice to really, really think about what you are about to do and how your life will be impacted.

The military has great benefits , yes, but you WILL pay high cost with your life for it, whether you are deployed to the middle east or not.

Visit your local VA hospitals and speak with veterans from all eras. Hear their stories, cause if you join, they WILL be your stories. After you have heard both extremes of good and bad (and there is both)...everything in between, weigh your options. The military is an option for many, but never forget there are other life options as well. If you simply have a desire to serve your country there is nothing at all wrong with that, in fact, this is a good thing and the best way to do it. Good luck to you all. Salute.

-Luckie R.

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I can’t give the greatest answer like “ I joined because I wanted to protect my family, etc.” I was an Air Force brat and had a lot more than most did. My family had a few deaths back home that threw everything upside down, and couldn’t stand most of the teachers at my school so upon my 17th birthday I went through the delayed entry program and in July I shipped out to ft. Knox where my OSUT was. Boy did I think that I knew everything at 17 yrs old. Best decision of my life but I still don’t know everything even at 29 yrs old. Just living day by day loving the beautiful family I have. They are what keeps me going.

D22D out. - BENJAMIN W.

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WHY THEY FOUGHT HEROGROWN MEMBER STORIES: IN THEIR WORDS, UNEDITED & UNCENSORED

In April 1996 , Drill Sergeants asked we write on the topic, “ Why I joined”. Here it is verbatim, “ I joined in Honor of those who haven’t returned.”

Often when everything has been tried, there was an opportunity door, window of opportunity, or merely the moment which made the decision happen. I had only talked with the recruiter jokingly, stating that I would sign up but I was thinking age would stop me. He stated they were taking in older recruits. At that I discussed it with “the recruiter’s future wife” as she was my newly wed bride after I enlisted. Yet, the recruiter was about to retire and guess his “suave” made her head turn. No blame, his best friend left with his wife shortly after his deploy to Italy. Better not to have what you want when at times what you don’t want is with you.

Anyway, I soon learned that HONOR means nothing outside the one who has it within and holds to INTEGRITY as guide.

Here I am Alive and Blessed. Thank You Vets for your service.

I am a man whose soul “tried as by fire” will not begrudge the element within others who forget, “We are born free, learning to remain free”. Be Free.

My prayer is for the children of the fallen. We can not say our lives are as precious. Growing up, only to know “ their parents served”. Hope nothing stands in their path for their individual development into Faithful men and women who stand Free.

After going to the table to discuss joining, people from the “blue” came across my path saying they wish they could have joined, Others showing up having done short term service, and others who helped the window of opportunity make more sense. At age 31-32, is when I “crossed over”, as someone stated during my signing up. It was the first of surreal questions or statements that makes your mind think. “ Have 1 crossing over” was shouted. Then from that time on, “ I is one”, as we, say sometimes to each other.

Stay strong fellow Veterans, no one is best for a friend than yourself, to yourself. Be accountable for yourself, then help someone else out. Experience chalked up that no one else went through other than YOU, brother and sister. It was your

I was from a very poor family and at 17 still in school there was no other way I could help my family any better!! It was me my little sister and mother we had not water, heat or power!! There were no jobs and I was still in high school as I said!! It was the very last year you could join without a diploma if you had good grades and no criminal record!! I had to do something to help my family so I joined!! I was a great troop got many awards, ribbons and letters they even wanted me to try for soldier of the year I

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chosen purpose to recover and rebuild from what seems torn down, torn down, missing, and empty. There are many ways to get involved with your training, even if it was just the discipline of “self discipline. Someone next to you, in your community, neighborhood, everywhere on this planet, could use that knowledge. Give your time to waking up to your civilian duty. Protect the interior as close to how you watched elsewhere.

Veterans rule, without regulation. Meaning “eyes and ears” are yours to employ.

A young boy watched his brother play basketball, being too young to play. I went over, sat next to him, and questioned his mind about what he was learning in school. Then took my cell phone out and began spelling words for him to relate ABC’s with putting words together. Total stranger, yet a young American to build a better future.

I joined as an experience to life and my individual path in learning to remain Free. It begins with You, soldier, the trained to be Free. When you are alone, exercise. Keeping the body in shape as best can, is your ally. Reading good knowledge helps build individual stability. ( I was told this by a WW2 POW who read each evening during his stay in captivity.)

Get all you can by doing the paperwork, then beating the door down with requests and inquiries. Contact the politicians in your area and put them to the test as to how much they will actually help out when your concerns are needing to be taken care of. The VA has too many complainers and fewer people who bring resolution. Don’t be a complainer, be the one believer who finds their way. Just have to find the true beings and ask for the help you need. Just don’t quit. With the high number of applications, it may take 2 years of getting letters unresolved. Just rest in confidence, they eventually come through if you just stay out of the “kill zone” from those “position” fillers. Veterans and true compassion people can be found, if not shown to you immediately. Follow Integrity, there are a lot of revenue generated options, just don’t let it get you discouraged. Your mission hasn’t been accomplished until everyone gets taken care of. Peace - Russ L.

was that good!! But again my family needed my help back at home so I did my time even gave the army a little more than I need to because I was a needed most but I left for home!! I would do it all over again to help my family at that time!! The military I see today is not much different than me and my story and why many of them are there and it is sad to see them dying for profits and greed!! Hooah brothers and sisters be safe!! #AllWarrior #MakeCannabisLawful -Alan G.

I joined the military because I was not ready for college. My father was a Vietnam Veteran and ARMY reservist till he passed away in 2003.

My Grandfather was enlisted in the ARMY during World War 2 and served in Germany.

So one could say it was in my genetics. I wanted to go to Art School but that was too “Gay” for my father, he said I couldn’t cut it in the ARMY or MARINES, so I showed he and enlisted in the NAVY to be a Hospital Corpsman that could serve as a medic with the Marines. After my 4 years in the NAVY I joined the AIR FORCE as a Aero Medical Flight Technician. I never have been married and do not have any children. But their still is hope. I loved my time in the military and wouldn’t change it for anything. The friends I made I still am close with vicariously being “Uncle J”, to their kids. - JR C.

I joined the Navy/Seabees because I wanted to help other people. I soon came to realize that the seabees were all about building during perilous times.

I re-built structures in Iraq, helped construct a fire house in japan, and served with special forces in Afghanistan. I came out of the service with a huge sense of pride for the things I’ve done and the country I served! - Patrick S.

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I joined the Navy on 17 October 1989 because I wanted more out of life than what I had. Nine years aboard carriers and auxiliary ships, five months on subs, and nine years Enlisted Navy Aircrew. Retired 30 September 2011 and was a Mission Coordinator for Scan Eagle UAV’s...over there with Green Berets. Those combined 24 years are the proudest times of my life. - Padraic O.

Family tradition. Dad was in the navy WW2, 3 brothers served in Vietnam then my turn to serve during Iran hostage situation. My future sons will follow their family’s tradition. You could say it’s in our blood. - Greg P. HeroGrown Magazine

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WHY THEY FOUGHT HEROGROWN MEMBER STORIES: IN THEIR WORDS, UNEDITED & UNCENSORED

I Graduated high School in 1966 and was already working for a Government contractor building power supplies and communications equipment used for both F15’s and communications vehicles that were deployed variously in the jungle as signal repeating stations.

I knew my draft number would come up soon so I spoke to the CEO to see if there was a way I could go and be of assistance. They immediately began my extensive training on their gear then classified me as a civilian Contractor (with Top Secret clearance) and sent me to Nam as a Communications service expert in 1969. At that point I was 3 years into my college endeavors and 4 years of running my own business. I had to sell my business and got ready to be deployed.

When I arrived, I discovered that I was assigned to MACV as a Communications Engineer supervising a team of men (boys) who went into the jungle, with Marine guards, to repair communications trucks and trailers.

My team of 6 guys were torn up regularly. Over my 30 months there I lost 26 people, some died in my arms some just disappeared in explosive vapor. And the losses, some horrific, changed me forever.

I’d like to say I went solely for patriotic reasons, but that would not be true. I knew that many people thought it was to avoid the draft, but if they had spent time with me in the jungle, they would have known better.

Truth is I volunteered so that I could use my education and management experience to best advantage in helping the effort. My dad, a WW2 vet always taught me that there are 2 types of people: Those who run away from the danger and those who run toward it. That is how I was raised and what I believe in to this day.

I also believed what I was doing would help my Country and hopefully help our boys be safer and get home, however that idea changed in my first year there.

Some of the things we did there were just wrong. (More detail on request.) There was no doubt in my mind that we

were hopelessly mired in a conflict we could NOT win. All I could do was my job, efficiently and with honor.

I, like many others, came home a changed man and looking at World politics today I strongly believe we should have never been there. It was just a quagmire that cost us way too many of our boys.

I volunteered to help the effort and hopefully shorten the war to save our troops.

After 12-18 months I learned that I was there for political reasons controlled by our Government and the military/industrial complex.

I went for altruistic reasons but soon learned that was not real. I believed in the Country my dad fought for, but that Country no longer existed. This has been driven home to me for years.

Reality, I fought for a Country that no longer cared about people in danger, but only what is good for us.

My heart goes out to our boys fighting in the Gulf as they are largely not revered or respected here. That is slowly changing as our Citizens have seen what has happened to our Country and feel badly for our transgressions, especially against our own soldiers and people. Sadly, our current Administration does not believe in any of it or we would never have separated infants from their parents at the border. The whole purpose of that was unneeded and wrong. Many of us who fought and died for our Country are ashamed.

When I got home from Nam not only was there no greeting (ala WW2) but I found myself hated and reviled. Was even spit on at the airport and to compound things our Government had NO plan to help us in any meaningful way. So many of my friends came home torn up and broken, but they had to keep fighting just for the rights and services that had always been available to our fighting men and women. To my mind, that’s criminal. -Marc S.

A long time ago I was sitting in my class in Murray bergtraum high school, we were in business class and we hear a loud boom that shook the windows and cracked some of them. When I saw a female classmate who was chasing me as a boyfriend crying, I thought she was mad I kept telling her no and she wouldn’t stop, then I looked out the window and saw pieces of the twin towers floating in the wind. Thinking it was a parade I joked, then was called “messed up” realizing that I was wrong the bell rang and I proceeded to the next class, then the second plane hit rattling the windows and I think breaking some.

looking up at the burning building holding my sister’s hand to make sure in the chaos we didn’t separate. Then someone yelled “ the towers are coming down”, worried that she(my sister) would be crushed I told her to keep up with me because we had to run just in case it fell to the side, she was scared and confused but always trusted me to keep her safe as I always had, so she became reassured. As it buckled and crumbled I watched as we ran away as it fell and the cloud of debris and smoke began to travel up the street toward us near China Town, a block up from the school and diagonal to the Verizon building. As we ran the cloud engulfed everyone as it swept toward us, I took off my shirt and wet it with water for my sister and said “keep running”!

As we were slowly consumed by the cloud I tried to cover my mouth to avail, I got lungs full of smoke, debris and ash.

I made sure to keep my promise to my Dad to get my sister, his daughter home safe as I always had. People were frantic

Seeing a girl I knew from after school club crying I remembered her parents worked in the towers, saddened I proceeded to find my twin sister to get her home safe as my father instructed me but running outside with her and seeing the towers on fire, I wanted to run help my friend who lost her parents. Then we were warned to move away from one police plaza across the street so we began to slowly move away 28

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running and coughing, vomiting and dying car crashed buildings were set on high alert and we were walking home. Having had many months of training for basketball I was fine and the adrenaline rush kept me from feeling anything but duty to my family, checking on my sister all the while, some people began to loot stores. People walked the streets with fresh alcohol stolen and bought to forget the people we saw falling out of the towers.

Later we watched the engineers of the towers on the few channels still working explain it was impossible the towers fell straight down, then they were cut off and government engineers from out of state claimed it made sense. All I could think of was my sister’s fear and test soaked face, my families fear of the unknown, my friends who lost their parents and loved ones because they had successful parents. All of that began to enrage me, I felt no fear the whole day for myself at all, only for those I cared about those who lost, my fury continued especially because my father even to this day never apologized.

That fury burned inside me, never quenched, never sated, I knew I was stronger, faster, and smarter than most I knew, I felt my duty was to protect those who were paralyzed by their fear, who were lost on being cool and popular, who were unable to fight with my focus and determination to win the war that would happen now that we were attacked. Being at least a third generation Navy man in my family I knew then what I had to do. I told my Dad I wanted to join out of high school but he forbade me as long as I was under his roof. Then I moved out after two years of basketball in college and joined the Navy as I was supposed to in 2002, but in 2005. I joined to protect everywhere I could, to give my children a better life, I joined to make everyone in my family proud, but life happens, and I lost my sister, my grandmother and oldest brother and other family members who like my closer family I grew up with, so in the end I went away to save people I loved and lost the ones I held most dear growing up.

That’s why I joined, but I learned that I was my families protector and it seems like without me they fell apart, not to be conceited but I was the one with duty to the family my whole life protecting my sister and being by my grandmother as her little helper when she came to town. Sometimes duty doesn’t save lives, I still am being discriminated against by who I would refer to from experience as domestic terrorists but I don’t expect to be cared for by people who don’t appreciate my sacrifice.

I am thankful for your reaching out to me, maybe my story can help to inspire new heroes with the fire that burned inside of me, fearless and just, noble and without need of a pat on the back. Just a direction and lawful orders take remove bad guys and bullies from a situation where they could hurt a blameless person.

We need more noble heroes to believe in again, I had my oldest brother and cartoons of xmen, etc, I pray our children have the real deal, and I’ve devoted my life to helping and protecting others, especially those I love and care about. Without influencing them too much, I don’t want to be a godlike figure or figure head, I just want to have a family. -Your friend and neighborhood veteran, Jeremy D.

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