Memorial Day 2023 – Weed Deals for Veterans

As Memorial Day approaches, Bloom would like to take the time to remember and honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. Memorial Day holds significant importance to us since many of our own team members are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. That is why it’s important to us to pay tribute to all veterans this upcoming Memorial Day weekend for their valor and their selfless dedication.

In the spirit of appreciation, Bloom is proud to extend exclusive deals to all veterans as a small token of our appreciation and gratitude for their service. We hope you’ll join us in commemorating Memorial Day and supporting our veterans.

Reflecting on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women throughout history. So, take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this day and remember the fallen heroes who gave their lives in defense of our freedom.

Share stories of bravery and heroism of those who have lost their lives serving our country to ensure their legacies live on. One story we like to share is about the history of cannabis and the U.S. Military. 

The U.S. Military Used to Be Cool with Cannabis?

When it comes to the topic of the military and cannabis, most are surprised to hear they have a somewhat complementary history that goes back to the 1600s. Back in 1606, hemp was an important crop used to make canvas, paper, cloth, rope, and sails. It played such a key role in what were then the British Colonies, that in 1619, Jamestown announced an order in 1619 requiring all farmers to grow hemp.1

During this time there was no differentiation between the terms hemp and cannabis. It wasn’t until 1753 that the scientific term cannabis was used to describe the hemp plant in the US.2

One of the most famous hemp farmers from that time was George Washington, Commander of the Continental Army, and our First President. 

Did the Commander in Chief, Cheef?

George Washington grew hemp at his Mount Vernon estate. He believed hemp could be a more profitable crop than tobacco due to its wide range of potential uses. Speaking of possible uses … in a diary entry from August 1765, George Washington wrote, “… began to separate the male from the female hemp …”1

There are some who believe that George Washington writing about separating male and female plants could be evidence of his interest in the psychoactive properties of cannabis – since this is usually done to boost THC levels in cannabis plants.

Of course, this is just speculation.

From Cash Crop to Contraband 

For the first few hundred years of our country’s history, hemp served as an important crop that provided the material needed to make things like rope, paper, clothing, and canvas. 

In 1916, the USDA published findings indicating that hemp could produce four times more paper per acre than trees. In 1938, Popular Mechanics published an article explaining that hemp could be used in 25,000 different industrial applications.

But, just as our country was beginning to understand the industrial potential of hemp, the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 came along and essentially banned it nationwide.

Hemp’s Role in the U.S. War Effort

After heavily taxing and essentially outlawing hemp, the US Government had to soften its stance in 1942. That’s when the USDA initiated the “Hemp for Victory” program – which encouraged farmers to grow hemp to make rope and canvas for the U.S. Navy during World War II.

But, once the war ended, restrictions on growing and selling hemp, as well as the heavy taxes, were put right back into place.

Legal Longer Than It’s Been Illegal

Cannabis/Hemp was legal and accepted as a valuable crop in the US since 1606 and was not made illegal until 1937. It remained illegal until California legalized the medicinal use of marijuana in 1996. 

Veterans and Cannabis

Although cannabis was legal for more than three hundred years, and only illegal for about 60 years, that illegal status left a lasting stigma.

Unfortunately, many veterans still face this stigma if they decide to turn to cannabis as medicine for treating their war injuries. Although the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says veterans can discuss cannabis use with their doctors without fear of repercussions, VA Doctors are not able to prescribe cannabis as treatment.3

This is unfortunate since cannabis has shown potential to help alleviate many of the issues our soldiers face once they return from combat, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and trouble sleeping.

Does Cannabis Help with PTSD?

In September of 2020, research published in The Journal of Affective Disorders indicated that inhaled cannabis was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms by more than 50%. The study also highlighted emerging evidence that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may represent a viable target for treating PTSD.4

THC in the Treatment of PTSD Symptoms

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies conducted a study in December of 2020 that compared participants diagnosed with PTSD who used cannabis to treat their symptoms, with those with PTSD who did not. 

The study determined those who medicated with cannabis reported significant improvement of their symptoms and were two and a half times (250%) more likely to recover from PTSD than those who didn’t medicate with cannabis.5

Can Cannabis Help with Mood Disorders?

Not only that, but research seems to indicate that the right mix of cannabinoids and terpenes could have the potential to treat a range of mental health disorders known as mood disorders. Common types of mood disorders include anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. 

A 2020 study examined the potential of terpenes and cannabinoids to help treat mood disorders like anxiety and depression. The results of the study were presented in the review article, “The Entourage Effect: Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders”which was published in Current Neuropharmacology.6

The study concluded: “The use of various cannabis-derived compounds opens the arena to the option of avoiding the adverse effects of the available antidepressants and mood stabilizers while treating mood disorders. This may be particularly important for patients who are non-responsive or non-adherent to conventional treatment.”7

Although we still have a lot to learn, these  results seem to back up the notion that striking the right balance of cannabinoids and terpenes can be a natural option in the fight against mood and anxiety disorders – where traditional medicine has failed.

It’s especially encouraging that the entourage effect could help veterans dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD avoid the undesirable effects of pharmaceutical medications.

If you’re reading this and are wondering if there’s something you can do to help veterans get access to the natural healing benefits of cannabis, there are some things you can do to help. 

Veterans Cannabis Support Groups 

There are many support groups established to help veterans receive access to the medicine they need to treat their medical conditions. One such group is the Veterans Cannabis Project – a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating lawmakers and veterans about the meaningful health benefits of cannabis. 

Veterans Cannabis Project is dedicated to improving U.S. military veterans’ quality of life through cannabis. They believe that medical cannabis can save lives and that veterans deserve full and legal access to it.

Bloom Honors Veterans with Exclusive Discounts 

Thank You for Your Service!

Bloom is thankful for the service and sacrifice of our country’s veterans. That’s why we’re proud to offer veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces a special discount year-round. So, if you’re a Veteran, make sure to mention your Veteran status to your Bloom budtender – so you can enjoy your special savings. 

Word is that a special discount may also be available for active duty, but we can neither confirm nor deny that. Ask your Bloom budtender about it to learn more.

Veterans Discounts on Cannabis – Memorial Day 2023

At Bloom, we believe in honoring and supporting our veterans. So, if you’re a veteran, we hope you’ll accept our offer for a special discount as a small gesture of our gratitude for your service.

Exclusive Dispensary Deals:

Discounted Marijuana Products: 

We understand the potential benefits of cannabis for veterans seeking natural treatment of their injuries and health issues. That’s why we offer Veterans discounts on a wide range of cannabis products, including oil, edibles, and flower. Our knowledgeable budtenders are ready to help veterans find the most suitable options for their medication and recreation needs.

Veterans Promotions and Discounts on Weed: 

To express our gratitude, we’ve curated a special Veterans Appreciation Package. This exclusive package includes a variety of premium cannabis products tailored to enhance relaxation, pain relief, and overall well-being.

If you’re a veteran of the U.S Armed Forces – we hope  you will enjoy this special collection being offered at a reduced price this Memorial Day. This Veterans Appreciation Package is available exclusively at Bloom dispensaries in Maryland and Ohio during the Memorial Day weekend.

Dispensary Deals Near Me

Best Dispensary Deals In Maryland

Bloom’s dispensaries in Maryland offer a wide selection of discounted products and promotions catering to the needs of medical patients and, as of July 2023, recreational users. Whether you’re seeking CBD or THC oils, edibles, topicals, or premium flower strains, there’s something for everyone.

From first-time customer discounts to special savings for former military personnel, Bloom’s Maryland dispensaries ensure that veterans can explore the world of cannabis at reasonable prices. So, make sure to mention your veteran, or active duty, status to your Bloom budtender so you can enjoy 35% off your purchase at our Germantown dispensary.

Dispensary Deals on Marijuana in Germantown, Maryland

Ohio Medical Marijuana Dispensary Deals

From premium flower strains to vape cartridges, edibles, and concentrates, Bloom’s dispensaries in Ohio have something for everyone. 

Our loyalty programs and exclusive Veteran pricing allow former military personnel to enjoy high-quality cannabis products at competitive prices. All U.S. Military Veterans receive 30% off Marijuana products at Bloom dispensaries in Ohio this Memorial Day weekend. 

As we honor the fallen and pay tribute to their courage this Memorial Day, let’s also remember the living heroes who have served our country. Join us in celebrating their dedication and sacrifice this coming Memorial Day weekend!

Together, let’s make this Memorial Day meaningful and show our veterans that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.


  1. Hemp and Our Founding Fathers | World History
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
  3. Cannabis Use and PTSD Among Veterans
  4. Short and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis on Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – ScienceDirect
  5. PTSD Sufferers Who Used Cannabis Were 2.5 Times More Likely To Recover In A Recent Study
  6. http://www.eurekaselect.com/article/100602
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7324885/