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.
Blog

Pop-In@Nordstrom’s Exclusive Olivia Kim in Collaboration With Eileen Fisher Collection
01.17.20
Pop-In@Nordstrom welcomes an exclusive ungendered and sustainable capsule collection by Olivia Kim in collaboration with Eileen Fisher. With a focus on organic and recycled materials, this exclusive edition of EILEEN FISHER’s System is a uniform for the new world – and everyone in it.
The 30-piece capsule collection inspires creativity through connection and great design in an array of minimalist colors. EILEEN FISHER Pop-In@Nordstrom is available now in select Nordstrom stores such as South Coast Plaza and online at Nordstrom.com/pop.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 05.17.26 – Farm Tour & Field Day at Fermentation Farm Acres
- 05.14.26 – 44 Women for Orangewood Luncheon in Newport Beach
- 05.13.26 – CasaDami Teams Up With Gelato Paradiso for a Summer Dessert Flight
- 05.13.26 – Riverdance 30 Brings a New Generation to Segerstrom Center
- 05.11.26 – Lido Theater Receives 2026 Preservation Award
- 05.08.26 – Free Summer Dance Nights and Concerts Return to Segerstrom Center
- 05.08.26 – Bluewater Grill Celebrates 30 Years With Seafood Tastings and Holiday Specials
- 05.08.26 – Outpost Kitchen at South Coast Plaza Debuts Mother’s Day Menu
- 05.05.26 – Alabaster International Debuts in OC with ‘Her Light & Legacy’
- 04.29.26 – ILYA Welcomes Sunday Brunch to San Clemente
- 04.28.26 – Mastro’s Plans Mother’s Day Brunch in Irvine and Costa Mesa
- 04.28.26 – Mother’s Day Style: Matching Moments for Moms and Minis at Famous Footwear
- 04.27.26 – March for Babies Returns to Irvine May 2
- 04.25.26 – Classic Packards Take Center Stage in Newport Beach
- 04.23.26 – Spring Menu Arrives at The Park Club California
- 04.23.26 – SpiceQuest Brings the Heat Home
- 04.20.26 – Honda Center Serves Up Playoff-Ready Menu for Ducks Fans
- 04.17.26 – A Night of Fashion and Giving in Newport Beach
- 04.13.26 – A Night at Knife Pleat Paired With South Coast Repertory’s Eat Me
- 04.13.26 – Sender One Expands With New Aliso Viejo Location
More Daily Doses
- 05.17.26 – Champagnes Kitchen Expands to Huntington Beach
- 05.13.26 – Uncle Fluffy Brings Viral Japanese Cheesecake to Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square
- 05.13.26 – Pure Salt Marks 10 Years With New Newport Beach Flagship
- 05.13.26 – Newport Beach TV Fest Returns With Star-Powered Lineup at Lido Theater
- 05.10.26 – A Coastal Spa Experience Arrives at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach
- 05.10.26 – Cozy Earth’s Cuddle Collection Brings Luxury Comfort to Corona del Mar
- 05.07.26 – Sweetgreen Opens at Irvine’s University Center
- 05.06.26 – Icons of Napa Valley Wine Dinner Returns to Henry’s Coastal Cuisine
- 04.29.26 – Mother’s Day Dining Across Orange County
- 04.29.26 – La La Land Kind Cafe Grand Opening at Irvine Spectrum
- 04.29.26 – J Ruby: A Colorful Creative Find in South Laguna
- 04.28.26 – A New Chapter for Zov’s in San Clemente
- 04.23.26 – David Spade Takes The Lido Theater Stage
- 04.20.26 – Arrive in Style. Leave the Driving to Us.
- 04.19.26 – Candace Bushnell Brings One-Woman Show to South Coast Repertory
- 04.18.26 – A Coastal Weekend of Wine, Food and Ocean Views
- 04.13.26 – An Evening of Connection and Compassion in Aliso Viejo
- 04.08.26 – A Mother’s Day Gathering with Costa Mesa History
- 04.06.26 – Spring in Full Bloom at South Coast Plaza
- 04.05.26 – Taste of Napa Comes to Huntington Beach and Returns to Napa Valley
