Guest Blog: 

by Jennifer Douglas,  Founder Homegrown4Heroes

In recent months, the cannabis community supporting veterans through Homegrown4Heroes (HG4H) has faced an unprecedented challenge. Hurricane Helene, a powerful and destructive storm, ravaged vast portions of the East Coast, leaving behind a path of devastation, not only in homes and infrastructure but also in the green fields where HG4H’s growers cultivate their crops. The hurricane struck at a critical point in the cultivation season, wiping out an estimated 70% of HG4H’s projected harvest. The consequences are severe, as this loss significantly jeopardizes the organization’s mission of providing safe, clean cannabis to over 500 veterans who rely on it for healing and pain management.

The Foundation of Homegrown4Heroes

Homegrown4Heroes is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving veterans by offering access to medical cannabis. Their mission is rooted in the understanding that veterans, many of whom suffer from chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and other service-related health conditions, often find relief through cannabis where traditional medications fail. HG4H works closely with volunteer cultivators who generously donate their time, space, and resources to grow high-quality cannabis, which is then shared with veterans at no cost.

In addition to providing this vital resource, HG4H emphasizes the importance of safety and purity. Every batch of cannabis provided to veterans undergoes careful cultivation and processing to ensure it is clean, uncontaminated, and free from harmful additives. The organization’s commitment to healing and safety has earned them the trust of veterans nationwide.

However, the recent devastation brought by Hurricane Helene has threatened this vital operation.

The Impact of Hurricane Helene on Cultivators

Hurricane Helene, one of the most powerful storms of the season, hit several states that are home to HG4H’s volunteer growers. With winds reaching 120 miles per hour, torrential rains, and flooding, the storm decimated outdoor cannabis crops and severely damaged indoor growing facilities. While many growers anticipated heavy rain or wind, few were prepared for the unprecedented strength of the storm.

For outdoor growers, entire crops were washed away or ruined by excess moisture, making them susceptible to mold and disease. Indoor growers fared no better, with power outages, structural damage to grow houses, and flooding wreaking havoc on their operations. Without power, essential systems for maintaining light, temperature, and humidity failed, leading to irreversible damage to crops that were near harvest.

The timing of the storm could not have been worse. It struck just as many crops were nearing the final stages of their growing cycle, with much of the harvest nearly ready to be processed and distributed. HG4H had projected a strong harvest this season, estimating that they would have enough cannabis to provide safe access for their 500 veterans for the coming months. But with 70% of that harvest now destroyed, those projections have been shattered.

The Ripple Effect on Veterans

The loss of so much of the projected harvest impacts the veterans who rely on the HG4H for their medicine. For many veterans, cannabis is not a luxury or a recreational option; it is a lifeline. Veterans dealing with PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, and other conditions have found solace and relief through cannabis, often after exhausting other treatment options.

The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene means that HG4H will struggle to meet the needs of these veterans in the coming months. Without the anticipated supply from this harvest, the organization faces the difficult reality of rationing what little cannabis remains or seeking alternative sources. This puts veterans at risk of losing access to the medicine they depend on for both physical and mental well-being.

Many veterans involved with HG4H have voiced their concerns, worried about how they will manage their symptoms without the consistent supply they have grown accustomed to. Some have even shared fears of having to return to more harmful or addictive medications, which they had successfully replaced with cannabis.

Struggling to Maintain Safe Access

HG4H’s commitment to providing clean, safe cannabis has been a cornerstone of the organization’s operations. Unlike many other sources of cannabis, HG4H ensures that the cannabis distributed to veterans is free from harmful pesticides, mold, and contaminants. This standard is crucial for veterans with compromised immune systems or other health issues.

With such a significant loss of their harvest, maintaining this standard becomes increasingly difficult. The temptation to source cannabis from other growers or distributors is real, but HG4H’s leadership remains steadfast in their commitment to safety. The fear is that turning to external sources could compromise the quality of the cannabis, putting veterans at risk.

 Moving Forward

Despite Hurricane Helene’s devastating blow, HG4H is determined to continue its mission. The organization has begun reaching out to its network of supporters, partners, and fellow cultivators, hoping to rally donations and resources to make up for the lost harvest. Fundraising efforts are already underway to rebuild and recover from the storm’s impact, and HG4H remains hopeful that the community will step up to help them through this difficult time.

In the meantime, HG4H is working to support the veterans in their care by prioritizing those most in need and exploring every possible avenue to secure additional clean cannabis supplies. However, the road to recovery will be long, and it will take the combined efforts of the entire cannabis community to ensure that the veterans who rely on HG4H do not go without the medicine they need.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has tested HG4H’s resilience, but the organization’s mission remains unchanged: to provide healing and relief for veterans through the power of cannabis. Though the storm has taken much, it has not broken the spirit of HG4H or the community they serve.

www.HomeGrown4Heroes.org