PHOENIX \u2014 A coalition of veteran advocates and wellness educators is leading the charge to combat stigma and promote alternative health therapies at a unique \u201cstand down\u201d educational event, bringing veterans and their families together to explore new avenues for pain management and personal wellness.<\/p>\n
Romaldo Gonzalez, a Marine Corps veteran and founder and executive director of Valors Veterans Community, AZ, is spearheading the effort with support from organizations like WeedWorks Consulting. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m on a mission to help veterans be the best they can be,\u201d Gonzalez said during a recent conversation with ABC15 Anchor Craig McKee, highlighting his commitment to broadening the resources available to Arizona\u2019s veterans.<\/p>\n
Whereas traditional avenues such as the Veterans Administration (VA) remain vital, Gonzalez and partners believe there is a dire need for education around alternatives like medical marijuana, CBD, and other plant wellness resources. <\/p>\n
As a veteran himself, Gonzalez brings a personal connection: after enduring multiple back and knee surgeries and once prescribed a dozen medications, he reduced his prescriptions to just two after turning to medical cannabis.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have nothing bad to say about the VA \u2026 but sometimes, the prescriptions that you get don\u2019t always work,\u201d Gonzalez noted. \u201cBeing able to get connected with resources besides the VA \u2014 that\u2019s why I\u2019m doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event, explained Randi Sobel, president of Weed Works Consulting, is geared toward providing veterans with accessible information about plant-based alternatives. Sobel emphasized the need to \u201cempower people to make their own choices and to find the people that can help guide them along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because cannabis remains federally restricted, VA doctors are unable to formally discuss it with patients, creating hurdles for interested veterans, Sobel said.<\/p>\n
The stand down will feature diverse speakers\u2014including Snoop Dogg\u2019s father, a three-time Purple Heart recipient\u2014as well as transportation for veterans to both the event and a local dispensary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s such a misconception about [cannabis] recreationally,\u201d Sobel said, stressing that both younger and older veterans can benefit from understanding all that plant medicine has to offer. \u201cIf I help one person, it\u2019s a good day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event aims to set the foundation for future outreach and destigmatization within the veteran community\u2014building not just awareness, but pathways for holistic veteran care.<\/p>\n
The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gateway Community College, 108 N. 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034, Building IE – Cooper Room. Further details can be found at Valors Veterans AZ website<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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