The purpose of the day is to bring issues related to
Post-Traumatic Stress disorder to light.
One of the big local proponents behind getting the message
out is a local marijuana dispensary.
Nevada's cannabis industry has its roots in medical
marijuana, and as the budding industry continues to bloom, some dispensaries
are noticing a growing trend of patients who are turning to the plant to help
deal with post-traumatic stress.
"My friends were all going on this adventure that I
kind of wanted to join on," said Matt Koetting.
Koetting's adventure turned into an 11-year career in the
Marine Corps, but he was severely hurt halfway through his service, and it has
had lingering effects.
"I have a traumatic brain injury," said Koetting.
"Frontal lobe, I have reconstructive elbows, broken back, glaucoma in my
right eye; a few other things. I'm diagnosed with post-traumatic stress."
Koetting owns a business that provides security guards, all
Military veterans, to several dispensaries around the valley. While neither he
nor his employees use cannabis due to restrictions around being licensed to
carry a firearm, he's become more of an advocate for its use to help treat some
of the ailments for which he sees his fellow veterans coming to the
dispensaries.
"It's exciting to watch as well, too, because it seems
like it's helping people," Koetting said. "It seems like it's helping
guys that I know."
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