A local veteran is sharing her story about how medical marijuana has changed her life.
Brandi Miles served 16 years in the National Guard. She spent 11 months in Afghanistan before being medically retired as a result of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The military veteran was taking six pills a day to manage her symptoms before she discovered medical marijuana. “Well, the experience at first was a little hard because us veterans just having a lot of shame around just marijuana itself and all the shame that’s around it. So, I’ve just really been able to help myself and my mindset move away from the shame of doing it because the military makes you think that it’s wrong.”
Being able to talk with professionals and care consultants at dispensaries helped shift Miles’ mind away from the negativity associated with marijuana use.
Making sure their clients have a good experience while shopping and after they leave is one thing that care consultants at Bee’s Buds take pride in. Co-owner and Budtender Bill Wilson said, “So, we really try to just try to have a smile and bring a warm atmosphere to everyone that comes in. We want people to feel at home. We don’t want you to think that this is a negative thing, we want you to really enjoy every aspect of it.”
Miles’ told News 25 that this experience has been life-changing for her and it’s a medicine she hopes other veterans will consider. “It’s been a game changer for me. Life coaching and cannabis has really saved my life. It’s helped me transition. I’ve lost 80 pounds in the last two years just transitioning off of all the pills and the side effects I was doing. And it’s just opened by eyes up to a lot of things… my bigger perspective of this world and what I’m doing in this world. And now that’s why I’m helping other veterans do the same thing because of how much it’s helped me.”
