Grandma and Her Gummies

Why Veterans Seek Cannabis and How You Can Help.

Why Veterans Seek Cannabis and How You Can Help.
In this episode of "Grandma and Her Gummies," host Steve introduces Eric Goepel, a veteran and founder of the Veterans Cannabis Coalition, who is dedicated to ending federal cannabis prohibition. Steve and Eric discuss how cannabis can help veterans with PTSD, chronic pain, and other health issues, and how the Veterans Cannabis Coalition is working to change federal legislation and to provide access to safe and effective cannabis products for veterans. Listeners are also encouraged to contact Steve if they have a veteran’s cannabis story to share.
Support Veteran Health with Cannabis
The veteran population in the United States is a significant and diverse group of individuals. With approximately 18 million living veterans across all generations, the population encompasses every orientation, gender, racial and ethnic demographic. However, most veterans are older, white, and male, with 75% of veterans over the age of 50 and half over the age of 65. This aging population faces unique health challenges, including higher rates of preventable causes of death, such as cancer, heart disease, suicide, and overdose.
Eric Goepel, founder of the Veterans Cannabis Coalition and a veteran himself, is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of this population. Goepel's experience in the US Army First Special Forces Group, the US Senate and House of Representatives, and organizations such as the Center for American Progress and the American Legion has led him to advocate for ending federal cannabis prohibition and promoting safe and effective cannabis use for veterans.
The mission of the Veterans Cannabis Coalition is to support veteran health by providing education and resources on cannabis products and innovation. Cannabis has been shown to ease pain, inflammation, anxious feelings, and improve sleep, all of which are common issues for veterans. However, the use of cannabis for medical purposes is still illegal under federal law, which makes it a dangerous situation for veterans to access and use cannabis safely and legally.
“Imagine living in constant agonizing pain. How long do you think you could last like that before you do something drastic, whether it's taking your own life or going into the illicit market and try to find opioids to ease your pain?”Eric Goepel, founder of the Veterans Cannabis Coalition
Personal Stories Can Influence Legislation
Goepel shared a story about how personal experience influenced Senator Orrin Hatch, a conservative politician who became an advocate for cannabis research after hearing a personal story about its effectiveness in treating cancer. This story reinforces the power of personal stories in influencing legislation. When politicians and policymakers hear firsthand accounts of how medical cannabis has improved the lives of their constituents or someone close to them, they are more likely to support policies that expand access to cannabis. Aren’t we all the same?
This is particularly important for veterans, who often struggle with chronic pain, PTSD, and other conditions that can be effectively treated with medical cannabis. The Veterans Cannabis Coalition has been instrumental in advocating for policies that support veterans' access to medical cannabis, and their efforts have helped to change the conversation around cannabis in Washington, D.C. When people share their stories about how cannabis has helped them or their loved ones, it humanizes the issue and makes it more relatable to policymakers and the public. Education and advocacy are what we support at Grandma and Her Gummies, and we have sources listed below to help you to support us and the veteran community, too.
At key points in this episode, you will learn about:
[02:10] Eric and his mission to help veterans.
[03:25] Veteran health and death rates, including suicide.
[06:26] Why it is harder now to get opioids and why that’s a problem.
[09:41] The VA’s weak approach to cannabis research. No more excuses.
[12:36] California’s unique law for free cannabis and peer support for veterans.
[24:08] How anyone (you) can influence politicians and necessary change.
Resources:
The Veterans Cannabis Coalition: click to find or go to: https://www.veteranscannacoalition.org/
Support the MORE Act and End Cannabis Prohibition: (click to learn more and to send a 1-click email to your officials: https://p2a.co/dXTzfs7)
Cannabis Education Resources and how to contact Steve if you have a cannabis story to share: https://grandmaandhergummies.com/resources/

Free Patient Resources. Guides to State Laws, Talking with Your Doctor.

Free Patient Resources. Guides to State Laws, Talking with Your Doctor.
In this episode of "Grandma and Her Gummies," host Steve introduces Debbie Churgai, Executive Director at Americans for Safe Access (ASA). Debbie shares free patient resources such as guides for traveling with cannabis, how to have a conversation with your doctor, as well as condition-specific guides to inform and educate patients. She also talks about the State of the State’s report, which grades and analyzes each US state for their medical cannabis program. Through the conversation, listeners will learn what to know, where to go, what to look for, and what to ask to make informed decisions about cannabis use.
Navigating and Understanding State Laws on Cannabis
The episode stresses the importance of understanding the laws and regulations regarding cannabis in different states. It is emphasized that just because someone lives in a state where medical or recreational cannabis is legal, it does not mean they can travel to another state and use or purchase cannabis there. Each state has different laws and regulations regarding cannabis, including possession and purchase laws. Therefore, it is crucial to research and understand these laws before traveling. Debbie provides resources, such as the Medical Patients Guide for US Travel and an interactive map on the ASA website, to help individuals understand the laws in different states. Additionally, the episode provides tips for patients who need to travel without their medicine, such as calling ahead to dispensaries to see if they have the specific medicine they use. Overall, the episode stresses the importance of knowing the rules and laws regarding cannabis in different states to have a worry-free journey.
Cannabis Education for Your Doctor
Debbie and Steve discuss the fact that many doctors are not educated about medical cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. Only around 10% of medical schools in the US teach about these topics. Therefore, patients should not assume that their doctors know about the therapeutic benefits, current research, and application for medical cannabis. The episode recommends that patients use patient resources, such as the Patients Guide to Medical Cannabis, and the Guide to CBD, to educate themselves and communicate with their doctors. The Patients Guide to Medical Cannabis even provides a letter that patients can complete and bring with them to their doctor appointments. It is emphasized that patients should talk to their doctors about any drug-to-drug interactions, as many patients are using other medications in addition to cannabis. Overall, the episode stresses the importance of sharing the most up-to-date information and improving medical professional education to ensure that patients have access to cannabis as a medicine.
At key points in this episode, you will learn about:
03:33 The mission of Americans for Safe Access.
05:23 Multiple patient and condition-specific guides (Cancer, MS, COAs, etc.)
06:59 Know your rights when traveling with cannabis.
10:41 Tips and resources for talking with your doctor.
14:23 Interactive map and resources for patients and doctors.
19:55 How to find Americans for Safe Access.
Resources:
Americans for Safe Access: https://www.safeaccessnow.org/
Guides for Medical Use of Cannabis
Resources for Patients
Medical Professional Resources
State by State Medical Cannabis Laws

A Cannabis ‘Happy Meal’ for Women. Fun, New Cannabis Experiences.

A Cannabis ‘Happy Meal’ for Women. Fun, New Cannabis Experiences.
In this episode of "Grandma and Her Gummies," host Steve interviews Sarah O'Leary, owner of Gal Pals Minis and creator of Wacky Weed Tours and Original Bake Bingo. They discuss innovative ways that cannabis brands can speak directly to women, including creative gaming approaches that Sarah learned writing jokes on Happy Meal boxes for McDonald's in the 80s. Listeners will enjoy the real-life cannabis stories and tips for safe and effective cannabis use shared throughout the educational podcast.
New Cannabis Products Tailored to Women
The episode delves into the topic of how cannabis brands can cater to the unique needs and experiences of women. The guest speaker, Sarah, shares her experience of creating a brand and product called Gal Pals Minis, which is a hot pink tin that contains 5 mini pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes or joints that are specially formulated for women. The tin also comes with an activity card to provide ideas on what to do when consuming cannabis with friends. The brand's mission is to give women permission to engage with cannabis without feeling shame or judgment.
“I am creating a unique blend for women at Gal Pals Minis with a better mix of terpenes for an elevating and uplifting experience.  Women just want: ‘I wanna get shit done, and I wanna feel in control, and I don’t want to be too high!’”
Fun Cannabis Experiences
The episode also highlights two unique events created by Sarah: a walking cannabis tour called The Wacky Weed Tour and Original Baked Bingo. The walking tour is a focus group that brings people together to support local communities and enjoy cannabis in a safe and educational environment. Original Baked Bingo, on the other hand, is a weekly event where participants play bingo and win prizes sponsored by local craft growers and stores - with the prize being cannabis. The event has become so popular that people travel from out of state to participate.
Overall, the episode showcases how a cannabis brand can successfully cater to a specific audience and create unique events that bring people together in a fun and safe environment.
At key points in this episode, you will learn about:
[01:11] Creative approaches to cannabis marketing.
[04:16] Gal Pals Minis product for women.
[08:13] Wacky Weed Tours in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
[11:10] Medical Stories shared on the Cannabis Tour.
[16:44] Original Baked Bingo is building a Cannabis Community.
[20:53] Cannabis dosing tips and words of wisdom.
Resources:
Gal Pals Minis (click to find or go to: https://galpalsminis.com/)
Wacky Weed Tour (click to find or search: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/mi--ann-arbor/all-events/)
Original Baked Bingo (click to find or search: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/mi--ann-arbor/all-events/)
Gal Pals Minis can also be found on Facebook and Instagram