Potcast 177: Veterans and Cannabis Research
Today we’re looking at cannabis for wellness through the eyes of a veteran who graduated out of high school and into the life of a soldier. Andy Miears is a former marine raider and 100% disabled veteran whose relationship with cannabis inspired an active movement to empower veterans and reform VA healthcare.
If you’ve never considered the implications of war on the men and women serving our country, I think you’ll appreciate Andy’s journey from warrior to gardener, and the dots cannabis helped him connect to improve not only his life but the lives of his fellow veterans.
So smoke ‘em if you got ‘em and settle in. It’s time to get casually baked. 💚, Jo
Today’s Potcast Is Covered by MJ Relief
Today’s Potcast is covered by MJ Relief, the muscle rub for what aches and pains you. The pain-relieving, skin soothing muscle rub I co-created with Dr. Monica Vialpando, is officially out in the wild and ready to enhance your everyday experience. MJ Relief is the same thoughtful Ph.D. formulation we’ve batch produced for friends and family as Casually Baked Muscle Rub for the past four years. But now it’s in a convenient tube so you can avoid messy mishaps, over-using, and contamination from those “double-dipping” fingers. And bonus, it’s all-natural and smells like a relaxing dream. I’ve used MJ Relief damn near everyday for four years to ease my chronic muscle tension from spending way too many hours each day on the computer. If you’re feelin’ the chronic pain and want some muscle and joint relief of your own, head over to MJ Skin Relief dot com and order a tube for you and another one for your favorite veteran. ✌️💚, Jo
‘After the Show’ Notes
Andy Miears, co-founder of Battle Brothers Foundation and Helmand Valley Growers Company, where he also serves as director of cultivation
CONNECT ON SOCIAL:
FB + Twitter +IG: @hvgcompany | @battlebrothersfoundation
Andy Miears was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation from High School, Andy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Andy spent a total of 12 years in the Marine Corps, seven of those years were spent at 1st Marine Raider Battalion. His deployments include Iraq, Afghanistan, and other regions around the globe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2015, Andy separated from the Marine Corps. He was looking for a way to get some sleep and help with chronic pain, which led him to utilize medical cannabis. Over the past five years, Andy has experimented with cultivating his own medicine and caught the “gardening bug.”
In a way, medical cannabis was his gateway drug into sustainable agriculture. It has helped him transition from a warrior to a gardener. Andy’s passion is helping vets learn about medical cannabis along with sustainable cultivation.
Empowering American Veterans
The Battle Brothers Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization that empowers veterans through community-based personal development, economic upward mobility, and progressive medical treatments to better their lives and the lives of their families. You can make a difference in a veteran’s life today by pledging a donation or joining our team of dedicated volunteers!
First Observational Study to Determine Efficacy of Cannabis for Veterans Gains Approval
Battle Brothers Foundation Obtains Institutional Review Board Approval for Study on Use of Medical Cannabis for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The Battle Brothers Foundation has received approval to launch an observational study on the use of medical cannabis to help combat PTSD in veterans. In concert with NiaMedic, a medical data and research company, the study will determine if cannabis treatment will be beneficial in reducing symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant PTSD. The two groups received approval to proceed with the study from the national Independent Review Board (IRB), the independent committee that reviews the methods proposed for research to ensure that they are ethical.
“This news could not come at a better time. Every day, 22 veterans are dying due to the effects of post-traumatic stress from opioid addiction to depression. Through anecdotal experiences, we know that cannabis can alleviate symptoms and provide relief. We appreciate that the IRB recognizes the validity of and the need for this study,” said Bryan Buckley, Founder and President of the Board for Battle Brothers Foundation.
Study General Overview
The study will enroll 60 California veterans, with moderate or severe PTSD over the next year. Participants will dose and titrate individually purchased products under their own discretion. Participants will be followed for 90 days to evaluate the safety and efficiency of cannabis on their symptoms. Results of the study will be documented and monitored at that time.
PTSD in Veterans
According to the National Institutes of Health, the rate of PTSD among returning service members varies widely across wars and eras. In one major study of 60,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, 13.5% of deployed and non-deployed veterans screened positive for PTSD, while other studies show the rate to be as high as 20% to 30%. As many as 500,000 U.S. troops who served in these wars over the past 13 years have been diagnosed with PTSD.
The Partners
The Battle Brothers Foundation is the nonprofit arm of Helmand Valley Growers Company (HVGC), a cannabis company founded by disabled United States Special Operations veterans that donates 100% of its profits to fund research on the medical use of cannabis for veterans. In 2016, HVGC founders spoke to members of Congress about the viability of medical cannabis as an alternative to the opioids military veterans were prescribed. They were advised to research data working alongside American medical doctors to build a strong case to present to Veteran’s Affairs (VA).
Using its innovative medical & research protocols, data collection & analysis process, NiaMedic generates high-quality clinical data of medical cannabis and provides: (1) Healthcare Services –research-based medical protocols integrating conventional medicine with propriety medical cannabis treatments; (2) Clinical Research Services; (3) Consultation Services.
Casually Baked Retreat in the Wine & Weed Country
Do you want to take a closer look at the casually baked lifestyle and explore craft cannabis gardening and farming in the California wine and weed country?
Join Jo to explore our favorite plant up close and personal.
Message me about booking your private or small group Casually Baked retreat. I've been cooped up way too long. And it's time to reconnect. So come hang out with me; I'll be your host and cannabis lifestyle guide in the California wine and weed country. 💚
Whether you want to take a deeper look at the California cannabis industry or you're a creative looking for an inspiring change of scenery. Or maybe you simply want to experience the cannabis culture of Northern California. We'll post up at one of my favorite places in Sonoma County for a couple of days and have an experience tailored for you.
We can go for hikes and work on our creative projects out in nature. We can tend the garden and do farm chores or walk and talk shop through rows of grapes or cannabis. We can visit a dispensary or two, do some wine tasting, prepare and eat delicious food, and have an overall high time customized just for you.
I moved to California for the wine, weather, and weed in 2014. The wellness component organically happened once I began honing my relationship with cannabis. If you want to explore the four W's with me, DM me to inquire about summer and fall dates. Together we'll dream up your ideal casually baked experience in the wine and weed country.
Kumbaya and cannabis,
Jo