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Roots to Resilience: HG4H Veteran Spotlight

Roots to Resilience: HG4H Veteran Spotlight

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My name is Benjamin Herman, or if you prefer the formal title, AOCS(AW/SW/IW) Herman, Benjamin, USN Ret. My journey with cannabis began in my teenage years. Although I took a 23-year break from using it, my interest in the plant only deepened over time. During my military service, I sustained multiple injuries that required medical treatment, including prescription narcotics. However, everything changed after an accident in 2018. While on detachment aboard an aircraft carrier, I injured my back and neck, necessitating a medical evacuation. After a year of physical therapy and two major spinal surgeries in 2019, I was deemed unfit for continued military service and was forced to retire. My world collapsed. I was left 100% permanently and totally disabled and unemployable.

Despite the medical treatments, I continued to suffer immense pain and severe depression. The VA placed me on several medications, but I despised how they made me feel and the direction my life was heading. Desperate for relief, I applied for and received a medical marijuana card, purchasing my first alternative medicine from a dispensary. Unbeknownst to me, this action was reported to the VA, leading them to discontinue my prescriptions, including Gabapentin and Buprenorphine. Shocked and in disbelief, I sought an explanation and was told that I would not be prescribed medication while self-medicating with cannabis.

The following months were a nightmare. I dropped from 240 lbs to 160 lbs in just three months, plunging deeper into depression. Unable to afford the high costs of dispensary products, I decided to grow my own cannabis, as it was now legal in Virginia. While searching for guidance on social media, I stumbled upon a newly established program called Homegrown 4 Heroes (HG4H). This program was exactly what I needed—a resource for disabled veterans to learn about and receive support with medicinal cannabis.

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Through HG4H, I’ve gained valuable knowledge about the responsible use of cannabis, and it has been instrumental in my transition to civilian life and managing my pain. Since joining, I’ve witnessed firsthand the benefits, and while cannabis isn’t a cure-all, it has significantly improved my quality of life. I believe it has made me a better husband and father. Moreover, I’ve had the opportunity to help other veterans change their lives by teaching them to grow their own medication, which has also helped me cope with my own PTSD and depression. Even my wife Leah fully supports this program, having seen the positive impact it’s had on both my physical and mental health.

If you’re a disabled veteran seeking an alternative to narcotics or simply looking to reconnect socially, I strongly encourage you to reach out to HG4H and begin your journey today.

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