Where Veterans Help Veterans Access Medical Cannabis

In North America, it is estimated that between 10 And 20 percent Many veterans suffer from PTSD in any given year, a mental health condition for which there are very few treatment options. While cannabis is revered for its medicinal properties especially in the context of PTSD, many war veterans still find themselves overcome by fear of the stigma attached to the plant, and reluctance to use it.

In a network of medical cannabis clinics in Canada founded by retired Sergeants Fabian Henry and Michael Southwell, employees work to build a safe haven for veterans seeking support and solutions for their mental health. Canada House It was built to offer veterans not just a clinic, but a community where they can consult with other vets (and medical professionals) about cannabis.

“For us veterans, the name Canadian House comes from a building set up at the Canadian military base in Kandahar, Afghanistan,” Southwell says. “It was a well-known safe haven and gathering place for Canadian soldiers and their allies to visit while they were on tour.”

Southwell and Henry set up Canada House (formerly Marijuana for Trauma) to help Canadian Forces veterans and their families access Veterans Affairs programs and services, and provide them with the help they need to access cannabis.

Southwell says Canada House was a “home away from home,” a feeling he desperately wanted to emulate in a cannabis clinic setting. Canada House, he says, is a place where vets and first responders can go to take care of them and provide solutions to help renew their lives. So far, it has helped secure $2.6 million in claims for Canadian veterans.

Why cannabis?

While Southwell served in the Canadian Army, cannabis was still illegal Canada, “So prescription medications and alcohol were the drug of choice for me,” he says, “however, like many other veterans, it exacerbated my overall mental health symptoms.”

“Cannabis is a safer, natural alternative to prescription medications that allows me to live a better and healthier life. I sleep better, have less pain from my injuries and have fewer stomach issues from taking so many prescribed pills.”

Glenn Coyle, a retired corporal, is a veteran and ambassador of Canada House that Canadians may recognize from the reality TV series Home Improvement, Holmes in homes. As an ambassador, Coyle focuses on connecting with other veterans by planning and hosting events and says after moving from a job in construction to this job, he feels like he’s doing what he was meant to do.

“When you think of the word ‘veteran,’ a lot of people will think of older generations, like grandparents, but they are people my age as well, says Coyle, who is 39.

“It’s important to me to keep that legacy going and get more veterans out of the house and get involved in activities with other veterans. A lot of veterans are left by the wayside when they get out of the military, and they don’t have that fraternity anymore. If I could To be the one bridging that gap, that’s what I’m here for.”

Canadian House Experience

Walking into one of Canada House’s 14 clinics across the country (Coyle provided a digital tour of the Barrie, Ontario location), visitors are greeted by a nurse and a cozy, cozy lounge that offers couches, a fireplace, and a big-screen TV. The clinic’s smaller rooms provide space for veterans to confer with medical staff, as well as other veterinarians like Cowell, who is at the clinic daily and offers a sense of familiarity and support to potential new clients. Another site is set to open soon.

The inviting atmosphere is intentionally designed to make support for veterans easier. Specialized programs and personalized treatment plans “help veterans who have slipped through the cracks or fallen on hard times,” Coyle says.

To further de-stigma, Coyle plans several community-oriented events at the Barrie location, including hockey nights and events geared toward the whole family. He says Canada House is meant to feel more like a lounge than a medical facility because for many veterans, there is an enormous fear of asking for help.

“When you say you’re going to a clinic, automatically in the military, something is wrong,” he says. He hopes his presence at Canada House will create a sense of confidence in veterans who have doubts and uncertainty as to where to turn.

“If I need help with my paperwork or benefits I don’t know I qualify for, or need a doctor or nurse practitioner, I hope someone has a military background,” he says. “I hope it makes my stay here a more positive experience for people.”

How industry collaboration is improving services for veterinarians

Canada House has always worked closely with producers to ensure its patients have consistent access to items and products that improve their quality of life. Earlier this year, parent company Canada House Wellness Group (CSE: CHV) entered into a partnership with a licensed producer. MTL Cannabis, enabling it to expand its product offerings through Apa Medix medical platform.

MTL Cannabis is currently heading towards Acquisition of CHVWhich is expected to be completed in the coming months. Jane Larry, chief commercial officer of MTL Cannabis, says working together to support veterans through Canada House is a natural fit for the company.

As a flower first company, founded by brothers, the opportunity to stand with those who have served on the front lines is an opportunity that aligns with our values ​​and goals. Canada House and ABBA patients’ need for high-quality dried flowers reinforces the position that it is OK to smoke cannabis,” she says. “It was fascinating to see how veterans choose smokeable cannabis as one of their primary tools of care based on its fast-acting effect in relief,” she says. We are proud to have a product that meets their needs.”

A handful of cultivars from MTL Cannabis and Abba Medix have proven very popular with veterans, including MTL’s Sage n’ Sour, which is particularly high in cannabis. CBG. Abba Medix also offers two varieties to grow with veterans in mind: Vet Star Day and Veteran Kush.

“These clinics aren’t just there to help a patient get a ‘text,’ but really to let the veterans know there’s a place where they can come together and create that next phase of modern society, which I think all patients who have chosen cannabis as a tool are really looking for,” As Larry says. “We are very proud to see the work Canada House has done to allow veterans to feel that it is acceptable for them to step into a place where cannabis brings relief.”