For a long time, conversations about cannabis and veterans have been framed around policy debates or medical jargon, but the truth is much simpler and much more humane. For many veterans, cannabis isn’t about politics or trends; it’s about finding relief, reclaiming a sense of self, and feeling whole again after experiences most of us can’t imagine.
RELATED: Rethinking how the cannabis community can serve Veterans
At Thrive, we’re fortunate to hear those stories firsthand every day, and we believe that when someone trusts cannabis as part of their healing journey, the industry has a responsibility to do more than just serve them; we have a responsibility to honor them.
That belief came into focus through Ryan Taylor, a U.S. Army veteran, where cannabis became a lifeline. Ryan served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and deployed to Iraq in 2006. What was meant to be a short mission stretched into 16 months of relentless combat, loss, and long-term illness that eventually required part of his lung to be removed. When he came home, the battle didn’t end. Like so many veterans, Ryan was prescribed a growing list of medications that left him feeling numb, disconnected, and overwhelmed.
“I was relying on so many prescription pills that I felt like a walking pharmacy,” Ryan has shared. “I wasn’t really living.”
Everything changed when a family member encouraged him to try medical cannabis. For the first time since returning home, Ryan found relief that didn’t come at the cost of his identity. Cannabis helped him manage pain and trauma while allowing him to feel present again. He’s been pill-free ever since.
RELATED: Helping veterans might come down to this one thing
That healing journey led Ryan to Thrive Dispensary in Anna, Illinois. Thrive wasn’t just a place to purchase medicine; it became a place of understanding, consistency, and human connection.
As his health stabilized, something else returned: his creativity. Ryan is a musician, and from that renewed sense of self came an original song, “Thrive: Anna.” The song isn’t about cannabis products or consumption; it’s about gratitude and the feeling of finally being able to exhale. The lyrics exude what it means when a veteran walks into a space and feels safe, respected, and whole.
“Writing Thrive: Anna was my way of saying ‘thank you’ to my favorite dispensary while bringing attention to the profound impact cannabis has had on my post-combat return,” Ryan said.
Rather than letting that story stay private, we knew it deserved to be shared thoughtfully and authentically. “Thrive: Anna” is now played in all Thrive Dispensary locations across five states. Before each airing, customers hear a short introduction from myself, also a veteran, offering context and encouraging support for FreedomSingsUSA, a nonprofit that pairs veterans with professional songwriters to help them tell their stories through music.
RELATED: Op-ed: cannabis rescheduling is progress — not the finish line
Cannabis culture has always been about more than consumption. It’s about connection, creativity, and care, especially for communities that have been overlooked or misunderstood. Veterans are one of those communities. While cannabis isn’t a cure-all, many veterans have found it to be a gentler, more sustainable alternative to heavy pharmaceutical use, allowing them to manage pain, anxiety, and trauma without losing themselves in the process.
At a time when cannabis is increasingly mainstream, it’s worth asking what kind of industry we want to build. One focused solely on growth and hype, or one that listens, gives back, and recognizes when the plant has changed someone’s life. Ryan’s journey is not an outlier, though; it’s a reminder of what’s possible when veterans are supported, listened to, and treated with respect.
*This article was submitted by an unpaid guest contributor. The opinions or statements within do not necessarily reflect those of GreenState or HNP. The author is solely responsible for the content.