Men and women who join the United States Armed Forces put their lives on the line defending our freedom every day. For some Americans, this dangerous sacrifice is only brought to light during holidays like today’s Veterans Day.
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is a holiday that started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country’s service. Contrary to what many might believe, a growing percentage of those we honor are dying right here at home, and not overseas on the battlefield.
These “non-combat” deaths are too often due to suicide and addiction, stemming from a staggering number of illnesses, like pain and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), that soldiers bring home from combat.
In 2019, the VA released its National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which stated that the suicide rate for veterans was 1.5 times the rate for non-veteran adults. The report also established that there were 6,000 or more veteran suicides per year between 2008 and 2017.
Salt Lake City resident, Mike Jones, 28, is all too familiar with the struggles of returning home from combat.
Sergeant Jones served five honorable years in an elite Scout and Sniper Reconnaissance unit (1st Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment) from 2010 to 2015. Jones served one tour in Kunar, Afghanistan, where he and his platoon were exposed to combat regularly, taking mortar and small arms fire from the Taliban almost daily for 10 straight months.
Sergeant Jones served five honorable years in an elite Scout and Sniper Reconnaissance unit (1st Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment) from 2010 to 2015. Jones served one tour in Kunar, Afghanistan, where he and his platoon were exposed to combat regularly, taking mortar and small arms fire from the Taliban almost daily for 10 straight months.
When Jones returned home after his discharge from battle in 2015, he started treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and for pain he suffered from multiple bad accidents while on tour overseas.
Although being prescribed multiple medications by the VA, five for PTSD alone, nothing was helping his mental and physical pain – and it was time for the soldier to find a different route.
“My body has definitely been through the ringer,” said Jones during his interview with Salt Baked City.
In 2015, Jones tried cannabis for the first time to remedy his discomfort instead of the usual medications. The moment it kicked in, he intuitively knew this was something that was going to help him and other veterans that suffer from PTSD.
“CBD and cannabis have changed my life,” said Jones. “It puts your body back into homeostasis so it can heal itself, and it clears the head. It allows you to be there for friends and family when other medications wouldn’t. I think CBD and cannabis is going to completely change the world, and I know it’s definitely going to help other veterans like me.”
Although he found the solution to his pain, Jones wasn’t in the clear yet. Using cannabis and CBD would go against federal policy and would put him at risk of losing his veteran benefits, which would prevent him from receiving any type of medication. As soon as Jones tried CBD, he knew that it was something that was effective not only for his pain but for his PTSD. Given the benefits and risks, he didn’t know what to do.
“I let my psychiatrist know I was done taking the medications they were prescribing because they weren’t helping me,” said Jones. “In fact, they were making things worse”
He was told by his psychiatrist that if he were to be reported, he would lose all of the benefits he had earned through his military service. This included his Veterans Affairs (VA) health care plan and G.I. Bill entitlements. Jones knew that cannabis and CBD were his only shot at a regular life, so he took the risk.
Although the state of Utah now allows residents to consume medical cannabis with a doctor recommendation, the medicine is still considered a Schedule I Drug on a federal level. This leaves a gray area regarding what is, and isn’t punishable. ‘Schedule One’ means a substance listed on that schedule is thought by the government to have no medical value and is has a high potential for misuse.
Eleven states have legalized recreational cannabis use, while 34 states have legalized medical cannabis. Veterans should know that federal law classifies cannabis as a Schedule One Controlled Substance, making it illegal in the eyes of the federal government.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is required to follow all federal laws including those regarding cannabis. As long as the Food and Drug Administration classifies cannabis as Schedule I, the VA health care providers may not recommend it or assist Veterans to obtain it.
Veteran participation in a state cannabis program does not affect eligibility for VA care and services.
“In legal states like Colorado, the VA will recommend cannabis as a solution, but will also warn you about the federal consequences,” Jones said. “I’m putting myself at risk and feel a lot needs to change to make veterans feel more comfortable using this new form of medicine.”
Mike Jones hiking in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City.
Jones has created quite a following on Instagram, where he is known as the Canna Daddy. He strives to help other veterans with their legal rights and to help them choose if CBD or cannabis is the right form of treatment for their pain and PTSD.
“My biggest joy right now is helping other veterans,” Jones said. “I can’t wait to help as many as I can. It’s such a blessing.”
Right now Jones is working for Factory 6 in Spanish Fork. They are a processing company that specializes in high-grade CBD oils and other products. He has also launched another company called C420Solutions that helps with brokering education, business solutions, white label services, and consulting.
Jones has also helped create a CBD line called Warriors Edge. A portion of the proceeds is dedicated to helping those returning home from combat.
If you, or a veteran you know needs help returning home from combat, Sergeant Jones would like to help. Be sure to follow The Canna Daddy on Instagram, and reach out if you need help finding the answers.
[foogallery id=”736″]
