Pain and Healing for Veterans

Covering a story about the benefits of medical marijuana has been interesting. Personally, I believe in the powers of natural medicine and have seen it work wonders. I know multiple individuals who have felt the physical and mental aches and pains disappear after using medical marijuana. I was intrigued when introduced to the concept of veterans using cannabis to treat PTSD.

Once out of the service, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doles out tons of prescription medications to treat veterans who have experienced trauma. It is easy to become addicted to the medications, and many veterans know that. They are looking for safe alternatives of treatment, and unlike the prescription meds, medical marijuana is a solution that cannot kill them.

Grow for Vets is a nonprofit working to change the system and give veterans the connection to these safe alternatives of treatment. Groups and individuals that grow cannabis donate to Grow for Vets, that then distributes to veterans. Grow for Vets has chapters within a handful of states across America.

I had the opportunity to go to the Portland Grow for Vets chapter meeting. It was located in a refurbished warehouse venue called Refuge PDX. There was a long line of veterans waiting to be let in. As I was photographing and interacting with those waiting to go inside, one of the large warehouse doors flew up and event organizers welcomed the veterans with smiles, then shouted, “Let’s get f****** high!” and “Let’s get medicated!”

I followed as the veterans entered the building. It was quite the display inside, consisting of a well-organized selection of marijuana goodies, including a dab bar, blunt table and edibles buffet. I was impressed with the layout and the volunteers. The atmosphere was friendly and accepting. Veterans were chatting and smoking together, and enjoying the comforts of being in a safe, cannabis-friendly environment.

The veterans didn’t mind that I was walking around taking photos of them. They understand what they are doing and that it helps them feel better. That is what matters most. Many of them experience critique from others in their lives, but that doesn’t push them to stop taking their medicine.

Nathan Paine, a veteran that was at the event, said, “I have conflicts in my own family for it. They’re Mormon religion. It’s to a point where I don’t even talk to half of them because they see it as just bad. It’s just marijuana. They don’t see it for medicinal purposes.” Paine is wheelchair-bound and made it clear that medical marijuana has given him a second chance at life. It’s brought back his drive and helped to subdue the great pains that course through his body.

So much controversy surrounds the topic of marijuana. Many see its medicinal value and others see it as the “devil’s lettuce.” While working on this project, I have met veterans that say that cannabis has saved their lives. It’s given them a reason to continue existing. That shows me that veterans come back from war holding so much pain, and I am glad that cannabis can help ease that pain.

Blog by Delaney Engle

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