Vets And Medical Cannabis: It’s The Least We Can Do – Forbes

Cannabis has been proven to help benefit veterans struggling with pain and insomnia, as well as ... [+] symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Recently, the VA launched of a new grants program on suicide prevention services for military veterans that specifically states that it wont support any treatments involving the use of cannabis. We know that cannabis has been proven to help benefit veterans struggling with pain and insomnia, as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD, but unfortunately only 50% of veterans that return from service seek help.

One thing Im always on the lookout for is ways to support veterans with cannabis medicine. When I co-founded and operated Harborside, we were one of the first dispensaries to offer a veterans discount (15%), and we hosted free support groups to educate and help veterans with their physical ailments and PTSD. We also tried to show that our community cared for veterans with free alternative health services like yoga and reiki, and our free care package program for vets with low incomes. I recently met Tim Tofaute, the Director of Security & Operations with Operational Security Solutions (OSS).

Tofaute is a US Navy SEAL veteran and no stranger to the long-term damaging effects of PTSD and chronic pain. Hes been working on these issues for some time, and owns a company that provides cash handling and banking services to the cannabis industry. Hes passionate about shining a light on medical cannabis reform for US veterans utilizing VA ressources. OSS supports dozens of financial institutions and more than 100 cannabis-related businesses; the team consists of former law enforcement, military and federal professionals to directly support the security and banking needs of the legal cannabis industry.

This is what he had to say.

Tim Tofaute, the Director of Security & Operations with Operational Security Solutions (OSS).

What does war and/or service do to the soldier and why can cannabis help?

Tim Tofaute: This is a very involved question. War-time service and peace-time service are two different things. Im not saying one is more valuable than the other, just that they're different. However, all service can make a soldier feel like they were a part of something larger than themselves and part of a meaningful cause. That can really help someone with their sense of confidence and sense of belonging. It helps the servicemember feel like their efforts are important and making a difference regardless of military occupation specialty (MOS) or job position.

War takes things to whole different magnitudes. This can be a profoundly different distinction because it's also deeply personal. The experiences of war are often very hard to speak about as most people just wouldnt get it. Also, it can take a long time to process these experiences and many vets dont want to relive it, so its just easier not to talk about it. Not to mention, the carnage often makes you develop a pretty macabre sense of humor that most civilians cant relate to. Humor in times of duress often helps everyone keep it together. War changes you, and changes your perspective on things, also how you manage stress.

You can usually tell somebody who has had to live through extremely traumatic circumstances. I have several colleagues that I work with that use cannabis as a treatment for PTSD and pain, and have had some success with that. That is not a doctor-prescribed treatment, but they used it as an alternative treatment, and they saw benefit from using cannabis. There are some war vets that swear by it and others won't touch it.

Cannabis, if administered in the right amounts can help reduce anxiety and calm the mind, and help vets process their feelings easier. In order to accurately speak to the effectiveness, we need more research to be done; and without support from the federal government that's going to be difficult, we need more research and clinical trials.

Do you feel that cannabis should be made available to active duty soldiers and vets?

TT: I think that might be an option, but only after there is through study and case studies done on the veterans side, where we can really review whether or not the treatment works or if there are any side effects, before looking at that as an option for an active duty soldier to be performing their duties possibly impaired.

What has been your personal experience as a veteran and soldier, and how has cannabis helped you?

TT: I personally haven't used cannabis with great success for pain, but I work with and I have several fellow ex-veterans that are friends that have used cannabis with great success and swear by it.

What is your vision for medical cannabis reform at the VA?

TT: Assuming that there have already been enough studies that show that cannabis would be a plausible alternative treatment, then it's really up to the caregiver and the patient to determine their treatment route. Over time, and as more research is conducted, I think the VA should support this model as well.

Tell me about your company OSS and what role it plays in the cannabis industry?

TT: OSS is a cash logistics management firm that provides secure cash-in transit, security and risk management and onsite security services to cannabis companies that are forced to operate as cash-only as the federal government continues to keep marijuana on a list of Schedule 1 controlled substances. We are acting on behalf of financial institutions that have legal banking programs.

Anything else you would like me to know?

TT: As an armed courier service supporting the cannabis industry with financial solutions, we are extremely excited to be expanding our service footprint on the East Coast in areas including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland where we have programs open right now. New Jersey's recreational program is moving forward very rapidly and the state may be announcing new details of their program very soon.

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Vets And Medical Cannabis: It's The Least We Can Do - Forbes