About Grow for Vets USA
The mission of Grow for Vets USA is to help reduce the staggering number of veterans who die each day from suicide and prescription drug overdose. We provide veterans with the knowledge and resources necessary to obtain or grow their own medical cannabis.
To date, Grow for Vets USA and its affiliated chapters have given away more than $1M in medical cannabis products to thousands of American heroes. We are working to raise awareness by enlisting the public’s aid and support in ensuring that all injured, ill and wounded veterans receive the respect and dignity of life that they deserve.
Our purpose is to provide veterans with unique products, programs and services designed to assist them in living with injuries sustained while protecting our freedom.
Grow for Vets USA is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization headquartered in Colorado. To get involved or to learn more, please visit www.GrowForVets.org.
Roger B. Martin
Roger is a proud veteran of the United States Army who has been coping with chronic pain since the 1970s. He credits cannabis with having saved his life in 2010, by helping him overcome a 10-year dependency on dangerous prescription drugs, including OxyContin and Ambien.
In addition to his military service, Roger has a background in law enforcement. As a result, it was not easy for him to accept the fact that, like most Americans, he had been duped into believing that cannabis was a dangerous drug. He blames greedy politicians, driven by the billions of dollars in “contributions” they receive from pharmaceutical companies, for deceiving the American public about the true benefits of cannabis.
Inspired by encounters with fellow veterans suffering from PTSD and other serious medical conditions, Roger began offering free cannabis to vets in March 2013. In January 2014, he formalized his efforts by establishing Grow for Vets USA., a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Since then, Grow for Vets USA has provided more than $1M of free cannabis to thousands of the bravest among us. Grow for Vets USA currently operates chapters in several states.
Roger strongly believes that cannabis should be the first treatment option offered to veterans suffering from serious medical conditions. Driven by the fact that more than 50 American heroes die each day from prescription drug overdose and suicide, Roger works tirelessly to convince VA administrators, elected officials, medical professionals and the public-at-large that cannabis is a much safer treatment option for veterans than deadly prescription drug cocktails.
Since founding Grow for Vets USA, Roger has had the honor of meeting thousands of brave Americans who have chosen to treat their medical conditions with the medicine that works best for them—cannabis.
When asked why he decided to spend his “retirement” giving free cannabis to veterans, Roger cites the disgraceful number of needless veteran deaths being caused by deadly prescription drugs. He believes that, “Pills kill and we owe American heroes better!”
Roger describes serving as the executive director of Grow for Vets USA as “the most humbling and rewarding experience” of his life.
A strong voice for the fair and ethical treatment of Veterans, Roger can be contacted directly at: [email protected].
Colin Zaremba
A Chicago native, Colin knew at a very young age he was destined to serve in the military. He comes from a long line of military veterans. In fact, almost every male member of his family has served.
Colin joined the Army right out of high school. He served as an Airborne Combat Engineer in a Sapper Platoon from 2002-2005. He served in Iraq from 2003-2004.
After sustaining multiple injuries and suffering from PTSD, Colin was honorably discharged from the Army. The VA prescribed him what he calls some of the “harshest medications on earth.” Colin came home one day with a medication that the VA had given him. His wife’s cousin happened to be at his house. He took a look at the medication and told Colin that he had once been prescribed the same drug for the treatment of severe schizophrenia.
Colin knew right then and there he could not rely on the VA for medical treatment. He moved to Michigan where medical cannabis was legal and started researching and utilizing cannabis for treatment of his medical conditions. Colin became a cannabis grower and went to school to study horticulture and botany. He also attended a culinary arts school to learn how to cook with cannabis.
Colin’s love for his brothers-in-arms is what initially brought him to Grow for Vets. Despite living in Michigan, he jumped at the opportunity to become a First Fifty Member of Grow for Vets-Colorado. His vast knowledge of multiple cannabis strains, as well their appropriate applications, made Colin a natural choice to lead Grow for Vets-Michigan.
Mike Withers
Mike is a U.S. Army veteran who started his military career as an MP, before working with the U.S. Army Liaison Apprehension Team and later with the Criminal Investigation Command.
Mike has severe back, hip and leg issues which he initially treated with prescription pain killers and muscle relaxers, while self-medicating with alcohol.
Later diagnosed with PTSD, Mike was prescribed anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills, along with the pain meds and muscle relaxers he was already taking.
On January 15, 2016, Mike’s life changed forever when he started utilizing medical cannabis to treat his medical conditions, eliminated alcohol from his life and dramatically reduced his dependance on prescription drugs.
Bobby West
Bobby West is a medical cannabis user and cannabis activist. After serving more than a decade in the U.S. Armed Forces, he became a champion for all things cannabis related when faced with debilitating PTSD.
Like so many veterans, Bobby tried medical cannabis for the treatment of his PTSD only after trying other options, including prescription medications.
More well known by his stage name “Uncle Stoner,” Bobby is well travelled and has many years experience cultivating cannabis and educating people about the miraculous health and healing benefits of the plant.
Uncle Stoner has a rapidly growing network of followers in the cannabis community. He also works as a host with Cannabroadcasting and Smokers Guide TV.