JESSUP, MD AND CHICAGO, IL, Nov. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In observance of Veterans Day, Verano Holdings, LLC’s (Verano™) Zen Leaf medical cannabis dispensaries in Waldorf and Jessup, Maryland, will host Veterans Health Panels to honor veterans by raising awareness of the mental, physical and economic challenges military veterans face and the resources available to them, while advocating for improved access to healthcare service and treatment options, resources and jobs.
“Our veterans have given us the greatest gift possible – their service, and we owe them our gratitude and the services they need to address the special challenges they face as a result of their service to our country,” stated Darren Weiss, Chief Operating Officer of Verano and Zen Leaf Maryland dispensaries. “Verano and its Zen Leaf dispensaries are creating a brighter way for veterans through education, advocacy, research, patient services and employment opportunities. These events are just one way we can help increase awareness of Veteran’s needs and the resources available to them and gather support for continuing efforts on their behalf. We invite veterans and all citizens to join us at these free educational events that are open to the public.”
Events:
- November 12th, 6:30-8PM - Zen Leaf Waldorf, 2290 Old Washington Rd. Waldorf, MD
- November 13th, 6:30-8PM - Zen Leaf Jessup, 7221 Montevideo Rd, Jessup, MD
Topics:
- Benefits of cannabis for military related conditions (post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain, repetitive stress injuries)
- Cannabis to treat Opioid addiction
- Veteran benefits in the cannabis industry
- Initiative 22
- Impact on VA visits and your veteran benefits
- 2nd amendment awareness
- Outreach and awareness for PTSD, suicide, mental health
Speakers:
- Jose Merino, Secretary of Veterans Initiative 22, an organization dedicated to advocating for veterans access to cannabis, resources, and employment, discusses the disheartening plight of the estimated 22 veterans committing suicide daily. Jose is an advocate with NORML and is an active State Regulation’s Committee member for National Cannabis Industry Assoc. (NCIA). Jose joined the Army National Guard in 2004 and served honorably on two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom(OIF). Jose is a service connected veteran diagnosed with PTSD and back pain and uses cannabis as an alternative to opiates.
- Krissy Bernazani, Clinical Director of Zen Leaf Maryland, retired pharmacist, cannabis advocate - Bernazani is dedicated to improving lives naturally through the use of cannabis. Krissy saw first-hand the escalation in opioid prescriptions for pain over the last two decades and the subsequent damage of addiction. Krissy works with medical professionals and researchers to explore the potential for cannabis to reduce overdose deaths and empower patients to reduce/eliminate opioid intake while reducing pain and improving quality of life.
- Evelyn Blaemire, Veteran and Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner of integrative health at Chronic Connections in Columbia. Early in her 25+ year career as a nurse practitioner, she recognized gaps in traditional Western medicine and offers her patients complementary medical treatments such as acupressure, supplements, and now, cannabis. A disabled veteran who served 10 years on active duty, she knows how challenging it is to be on the patient side of healthcare.
- Chris Levelle, Founder of CannaBay & Air Force Veteran. Provides care for veterans and community through CannaBay Docs, helping 2000+ patients in the Southern Maryland area discover and obtain access to Medical cannabis. Advocated and petitioned for increased access to medical cannabis due to the opioid epidemic.
- Taiwo Oluyemo, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner and certified provider in Maryland for CannaBay.
- Eryck Stamper, 23 Navy Veteran decorated Senior Chief Petty Officer, founder of a local nonprofit called Veterans Initiative 22 and The Maryland Hemp Exchange. As a service-connected disabled veteran and medical cannabis patients, Eryck advocates for Veterans and their families for jobs and incentives on critical life-saving medicine.
Guests planning to attend these free events should register via EventBrite or facebook for the location they plan to attend.
Jessup
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-heath-panel-jessup-tickets-52360180710)
https://www.facebook.com/events/580415415723148/
Waldorf
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-heath-panel-waldorf-tickets-52360031263
https://www.facebook.com/events/249325362608606/
For questions, please call 833-936-5323, then select the event location.
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Verano Holdings
Verano™ is a national, vertically integrated operator of licensed cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and retail facilities dedicated to improving lives by providing safe access to effective pesticide-free cannabis products that profoundly impact the communities it serves. Verano develops and produces a well-rounded suite of limited edition, fashion-forward cannabis products, which offer superior medicinal therapies and inspirational product options. It designs, builds and operates unique Zen Leaf™ branded dispensary environments that ensure an exceptional shopping experience with unparalleled customer service and satisfaction in both medical and adult-use markets. Verano Holdings distributes cannabis concentrates, edibles, extracts, flower and topicals, many in precision-dosed THC and CBD formulations, under its trusted premium brands: GoldLeaf™, Menta™, Sweet Sins™, Encore Company™, Avexia™ and verano™.
For more information, visit http://verano.holdings/ and follow us on social media:
Twitter: @veranobrands
LinkedIn: verano-holdings
CONTACTS
For Verano Holdings
Corporate Office
312-624-8709
Media
julie@verano.holdings
847-275-3643
Zen Leaf Maryland
833-936-5323
www.zenleafMD.com