List of Military Veterans Who Smoke Weed

• Veterans are leading cannabis reform – With 83% of veterans supporting federally legal medical cannabis, but 0% of VA facilities providing medical cannabis, veterans have stepped up to fill the gap through advocacy and business ownership
• Cannabis addresses signature veteran health issues – From PTSD and chronic pain to traumatic brain injuries and insomnia, veterans report cannabis as a safer alternative to opioids, with 91% saying it improved their quality of life
• Elite military credentials translate to cannabis credibility – Medal of Honor recipients, Navy SEALs, and Thunderbirds members bring unmatched authority to cannabis advocacy, helping destigmatize use for medical purposes
• Veteran-owned cannabis businesses are growing – From dispensaries to product companies, veterans are building cannabis businesses focused specifically on veteran wellness and accessibility
• Personal healing drives national change – Many veterans started using cannabis for their own health struggles, then founded organizations like the Veterans Cannabis Project to help fellow veterans access safe, effective treatment

Military veterans have emerged as some of the most credible and influential voices in the cannabis movement. Unlike celebrity endorsements, veterans bring discipline, sacrifice, and firsthand experience with the very conditions cannabis can treat. Whether through founding advocacy organizations, launching veteran-focused cannabis businesses, or sharing personal testimonies about replacing opioids with cannabis, these 13 veterans have made significant contributions to cannabis reform and accessibility. Explore cannabis product options through Herb’s comprehensive catalog to understand the types of products these veterans advocate for and use.

The second-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, Dakota Meyer earned the military’s highest honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan, where he saved 36 lives while under heavy enemy fire. After struggling with PTSD and attempting suicide following his combat experience, Meyer became a vocal proponent of medical cannabis legalization to help veterans manage PTSD while reducing reliance on opioids.

Key achievements and advocacy:

• 2018 Kentucky op-ed – Co-authored an op-ed calling for medical cannabis legalization in Kentucky, stating that cannabis could help veterans with PTSD while addressing the opioid epidemic
• Historic re-enlistment – Re-enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2025 after a 15-year break, becoming one of the only Medal of Honor recipients currently in uniform
• Unique credibility – His combination of the military’s highest honor and public cannabis advocacy makes him an exceptionally credible voice for veteran cannabis access

As the Navy SEAL famously involved in Operation Neptune Spear that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden, Rob O’Neill represents the elite of special operations forces. Leveraging the discipline and excellence instilled through his SEAL training, O’Neill co-founded Operator Canna Co. in 2024, a brand dedicated to veteran wellness through high-quality cannabis products with an emphasis on responsible use.

Business and advocacy focus:

• Operator Canna Co. – Co-founded cannabis company in 2024 focused on veteran wellness and high-quality products
• Elite warrior credibility – His transition from military fame to veteran cannabis wellness advocacy demonstrates how elite warriors are applying their operational expertise to build credible cannabis businesses
• Public advocacy – As O’Neill noted in a February 2024 Instagram post, veterans are becoming key advocates for cannabis amid growing legalization and increased recognition of cannabis for treating PTSD, pain, and anxiety

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and veteran of both the Navy and Marine Corps, Montel Williams has been using vaporized marijuana for nearly 20 years to manage the chronic pain and fatigue caused by his multiple sclerosis (MS). The celebrity TV host has been candid about how cannabis helps him “to function” and has “changed his life for the better.”

Impact and recognition:

• Two decades of advocacy – Williams’ combination of Naval Academy pedigree, celebrity platform, and 20 years of medical cannabis advocacy has made him one of the most visible veteran advocates
• Top 50 influencer – Ranked #38 in the Marijuana Policy Project’s “Top 50 Most Influential Marijuana Consumers”
• Neurological condition champion – His consistent advocacy has helped demonstrate cannabis efficacy for debilitating neurological conditions like MS

Dennis Peron, a U.S. Air Force veteran, earned the title “father of medical cannabis” through his groundbreaking work during the AIDS crisis in San Francisco. His activism led to the opening of San Francisco’s first public dispensary and ultimately the passage of California’s Proposition 215 in 1996 – the first medical cannabis law in modern U.S. history.

Historic contributions:

• Prop 215 passage – Working alongside “Brownie Mary,” Peron transformed local compassion for AIDS patients into national reform that paved the way for all subsequent state medical cannabis laws
• First public dispensary – Opened San Francisco’s first public cannabis dispensary during the AIDS crisis
• Lasting legacy – His Air Force background provided him with organizational skills and discipline that proved invaluable in building the infrastructure for medical cannabis access; about 40 states now have medical cannabis programs based on the framework he helped establish

Jack Herer, a former U.S. Army military police officer, authored “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” in 1985, which became known as the “bible of hemp activism” and has sold over 800,000 copies worldwide. His tireless public education and grassroots organizing helped lay the groundwork for California’s Prop 215 and modern medical marijuana reform.

Enduring influence:

• The Emperor Wears No Clothes – His 1985 book remains one of the most influential cannabis publications ever written, continuing to inspire new generations of cannabis activists
• Named strain – The popular “Jack Herer” cannabis strain was named in his honor
• Documentary subject – “Emperor of Hemp” chronicles his life’s work and military background that gave him the organizational skills to build a global movement

A U.S. Navy SEAL and Naval Academy graduate, Nick Etten founded the Veterans Cannabis Project (VCP) to help military veterans improve their quality of life through access to cannabis for medical purposes. Etten has been particularly vocal about the VA system’s reliance on pharmaceuticals, noting that “60% of what the VA treats can fall into the category of chronic pain, and the system was not designed to do much more than push pills.”

Organization mission and impact:

• Signature wounds focus – The VCP focuses on the “signature wounds of wars in the Middle East” – PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and chronic pain – advocating for cannabis as a safer alternative to opioids and other pharmaceuticals
• VA access gap – The organization highlights the stark reality that while about 40 states have medical cannabis programs and 83% of veterans support federally legal medical cannabis, 0% of VA facilities provide medical cannabis
• Policy advocacy – Works to change federal and VA policies to allow cannabis as a treatment option for veterans

Wanda James, a U.S. Navy veteran, made history as the first Black woman to own a U.S. cannabis dispensary when she co-founded Simply Pure in Denver, Colorado. A former member of Colorado’s Amendment 64 Task Force, James continues to influence science-based, inclusive cannabis policy while championing veterans’ access, equity in licensing, and fair regulation.

Pioneering achievements:

• Historic first – First Black woman to own a U.S. cannabis dispensary, breaking barriers in an industry that has historically lacked diversity
• Veteran-focused business – Her veteran-owned business specifically focuses on providing quality cannabis products to fellow veterans
• Policy influence – Her ongoing policy work ensures that veterans remain a priority in cannabis regulatory discussions through her Amendment 64 Task Force experience

Dr. Tod Mikuriya, a U.S. Army veteran and psychiatrist, served as a key architect of modern medical-cannabis policy. He was instrumental in the passage of California’s Prop 215 and founded the Society of Cannabis Clinicians to bridge the gap between science and law.

Medical and scientific contributions:

• Scientific credibility – As a medical professional, Mikuriya brought crucial scientific credibility to the cannabis movement by documenting thousands of patient outcomes, providing an evidence base for medical cannabis efficacy
• Veteran conditions expertise – His military background combined with his psychiatric expertise made him uniquely qualified to advocate for cannabis as legitimate medicine, particularly for conditions like PTSD and chronic pain that disproportionately affect veterans
• Society of Cannabis Clinicians – The organization he founded continues to operate today, maintaining his legacy of bringing medical professionalism to cannabis advocacy

Hunter S. Thompson, the legendary gonzo journalist and U.S. Air Force veteran, leveraged his cultural platform to promote cannabis law reform and normalization long before it became mainstream. He served on NORML’s board of directors and famously ran for sheriff of Aspen, Colorado, on a pro-legalization platform decades before such positions were politically safe.

Cultural impact:

• Early political advocacy – Ran for sheriff of Aspen on a pro-legalization platform decades before such positions were politically acceptable
• NORML leadership – Served on the board of directors, bringing cultural credibility to the organization
• Fearless destigmatization – Thompson’s fearless advocacy helped destigmatize cannabis use and demonstrated how cultural figures could advance reform through both their writing and political activism

Al Byrne, a U.S. Navy veteran from Massachusetts, co-founded both Patients Out of Time and Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access (VMCA), two influential organizations that have helped legitimize patient access and elevate veterans’ roles in medical reform. Through decades of advocacy, Byrne educated clinicians nationwide and helped normalize cannabis use within the VA system.

Organizational leadership:

• Dual organization founder – Co-founded both Patients Out of Time and Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access, demonstrating the strategic approach veterans have taken to cannabis reform
• Clinician education – Through decades of advocacy, educated clinicians nationwide about medical cannabis
• Documentary memoir – His 2023 memoir “For Country and Cannabis” documents his extensive advocacy work and provides a historical record of the veteran cannabis movement

Eric Goepel, a military veteran, founded the Veterans Cannabis Coalition (VCC), an independent, self-funded organization focused on ending cannabis prohibition and promoting medical cannabis research and treatment through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VCC’s mission centers on “research, reform, and restoration,” with the explicit goal of ending the negative stigma surrounding cannabis.

Coalition mission:

• Congressional testimony – Goepel has testified before Congress, stating that “Medicinal cannabis access should be a priority of Congress”
• Independent funding – His organization maintains independence through self-funding, ensuring that veteran advocacy remains focused on patient needs rather than commercial interests
• VA research focus – The VCC specifically targets VA research and treatment access, addressing the gap between veteran support for cannabis and actual VA policy

Thomas James Brennan, a Marine veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, brought national attention to veteran cannabis use through his powerful New York Times op-ed. After a cocktail of prescription drugs became ineffective, Brennan discovered cannabis when “a friend gave him a joint and urged him to smoke it before bed.”

Powerful testimony:

• Life-saving impact – His candid account included: “If I hadn’t begun self-medicating with it, I would have killed myself…it’s the only thing that takes the sharpest edges off my symptoms. Because of cannabis, I’m more hopeful, less woeful”
• Suicide prevention focus – Brennan’s testimony highlighted cannabis as a potential solution for veteran suicide prevention and showed promise for treating traumatic brain injuries
• Mainstream platform – His New York Times op-ed brought the veteran cannabis issue to millions of readers who might not otherwise engage with cannabis advocacy

Jarid Watson, a nearly 12-year Air Force veteran and member of the world-famous U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, provides a compelling personal story of cannabis versus opioids. After a bone growth on his hip ball joint tore his labrum and damaged surrounding cartilage, Watson faced chronic pain that severely affected his sleep, motivation, and mood.

Personal transformation:

• Cannabis over opioids – Following medical retirement in 2016, he chose cannabis over opioids, with his wife (also an Air Force veteran and nutritional therapist) supporting cannabis as a “more natural and safer alternative”
• Quality of life restoration – The results were transformative – his wife noted, “He’s happier, more productive and more motivated to do things…changed the quality of life, big time”
• DAV featured story – Watson’s story, featured prominently by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), exemplifies how cannabis can restore quality of life for veterans with service-connected injuries; find dispensaries near you through Herb’s dispensary directory to access similar products

Despite this overwhelming veteran support, significant barriers remain. The stark reality that 0% of VA facilities provide medical cannabis while about 40 states have medical cannabis programs creates a disconnect that veterans have had to address through their own advocacy and business initiatives. Sign up for Herb’s Insider newsletter for updates on veteran cannabis advocacy and policy changes.

Veterans have responded to this gap by founding organizations like the Veterans Cannabis Project and Veterans Cannabis Coalition, launching veteran-owned businesses like Operator Canna Co. and Simply Pure, and sharing their personal stories to destigmatize cannabis use for medical purposes. Their military backgrounds provide them with unique credibility in advocating for cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment, particularly for conditions like PTSD, chronic pain, and traumatic brain injury that are prevalent among veteran populations.

The growing acceptance of cannabis among veterans reflects both personal necessity and professional discipline – these are not recreational users but individuals who have systematically evaluated their treatment options and chosen cannabis as the most effective and safest alternative for their specific conditions. Understanding cannabis legalization through Herb’s educational resources can help other veterans navigate their own cannabis journeys.