Blog
Veterans Compassion Network Provides Cannabis & Education To Those In Need
01.19.20
Veterans Cannabis Coalition (VCC), an independent advocacy group, has joined together with veteran’s charity Battle Brothers Foundation, Tikun Olam, an internationally recognized medical cannabis producer, Kannabis Works, one of the only licensed dispensaries in Orange County, and Falcon Brands, a vertically-integrated cannabis company, to launch the Veterans Compassion Network.
The Veterans Compassion Network is based on the recently passed Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary Compassion Act, SB-34, in California, which provides a legal means for licensed companies to donate medicinal cannabis products to verified patients. The passage of adult-use legalization in the state in 2016 eliminated several medical cannabis patient protections while also raising prices considerably, forcing many into the illicit market.
“We’ve spoken with veterans around the country who all tell similar stories of how they struggled with mental and physical challenges after their service, and the answer our healthcare system had for them were pharmaceuticals that ruined their quality of life,” said VCC founder Eric Goepel. “Those same veterans will describe how using cannabis had a life-changing impact on their health and in some cases helped them avoid becoming a statistic. That is why it is so important to make sure veterans have the access they need.”
The event at the Kannabis Works dispensary in Santa Ana included an educational brief on current advocacy and research efforts followed by a panel with representatives from all of the participating organizations and companies. The panel focused on the intent and structure of the Veterans Compassion Network.
“Compassionate access was the very reason why California was the first state to legalize cannabis medically,” said Shelly McKay, Health & Wellness Educator at Kannabis Works.
“I am honored to be part of the Veterans Compassion Network so that retailers can provide compassionate access to veterans that suffer from PTSD and other common conditions veterans face.”
"Falcon Brands is excited and honored to be partnering with the Veterans Cannabis Coalition and contribute to their initiatives. Our mission as a company is to provide quality packaged cannabis goods at an affordable price. Our brands CRU, High Garden and Littles are accessible products for all. Cannabis for the people,” said Falcon Brands partner Mark Malatesta.
The creation of the program is a community response to the more than 100,000 veterans who have died by suicide or overdose since 9/11, according to Department of Veterans Affairs data.
Despite almost two decades and billions of dollars of government interventions, there has been no impact in the rate of veteran suicide and overdose. While the federal government ignores the potential of medicinal cannabis, according to surveys more than 20%, or nearly four million, veterans use cannabis to treat their service-connected injuries.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 10.15.25 – Pumpkin Palooza Returns to Discovery Cube OC This October
- 10.14.25 – Irish Spotlight at the Newport Beach Film Festival
- 10.09.25 – The Jill Foundation’s Annual Opportunity Drawing Is Now Open
- 10.09.25 – Born in OC Book Signing at Lido Village Books
- 10.08.25 – Disneyland Experience Headlines The Wish Gala Auction
- 10.07.25 – Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill Reopens Reimagined Anaheim Hills Flagship
- 10.05.25 – Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at Musco Center
- 10.04.25 – Puesto Celebrates National Taco Day with Golden Ticket Giveaway
- 10.02.25 – Musco Presents Complexions Contemporary Ballet
- 10.02.25 – Newport Beach Becomes Global Beach Volleyball Capital Oct. 7–12
- 10.01.25 – Laguna Cliffs Hosts Harvest Moon Sound Bath
- 09.29.25 – Zov’s Debuts New Brunch Menu Inspired by Family Traditions
- 09.26.25 – Segerstrom Center Expands Feel Good, Do Good Donation Drives
- 09.25.25 – GLOW Coalition Hosts First Fundraiser for Save Newport Nature
- 09.24.25 – Ilissa Michele Jewelry: Purpose-Driven, Handmade, and One-of-a-Kind
- 09.21.25 – Your Business. Our Audience.
- 09.19.25 – Irvine Barclay Theatre Celebrates 35th Season With Free Block Party
- 09.16.25 – Seconds at PCH Food Week Returns to 2ND & PCH
- 09.13.25 – Pasta Sisters Marks 10 Years With $8 Pasta Day
- 09.12.25 – Wrap Up by Valerie Perez Unveils Luxe Robe Collection for Fall
More Daily Doses
- 10.16.25 – Luxury Wellness Meets Concierge Medicine at Coastal Wellness MD
- 10.16.25 – Chiang Rai Thai in Tustin Serves Up Michelin-Recognized Northern Thai Cuisine
- 10.16.25 – Chili Chutney Brings Authentic Afghan Cuisine to Lake Forest
- 10.16.25 – Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria Brings Elevated Flavor to Costa Mesa
- 10.15.25 – Tales of Wonder and Imagination: Alexander Shelley Leads Pacific Symphony in ‘Scheherazade’
- 10.14.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 17 - 18
- 10.13.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
- 10.08.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors
- 10.05.25 – Fashion Meets Film: StyleWeekOC Returns to Fashion Island October 15–19
- 09.29.25 – Pacific Airshow Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 3-5
- 09.26.25 – Mastro’s Brings Its Iconic Dining Experience to Irvine Spectrum
- 09.25.25 – San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein Comes to Segerstrom Center
- 09.19.25 – 26th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup
- 09.16.25 – Tastemakers of Orange County Returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 09.16.25 – Pacific Wine & Food Classic Returns September 20
- 09.15.25 – The Market Place Opening Celebration
- 09.12.25 – Segerstrom Center Welcomes Yearlong Karon Davis Installation
- 09.08.25 – Pacific Symphony Opens 47th Season with Rachmaninoff and Sibelius
- 09.08.25 – Roger’s Gardens Celebrates 50 Years with Halloween Boutique, Midnight Market
- 08.24.25 – An Evening at The Lido Theater to Benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
