Veteran pushing marijuana petition for PTSD treatment

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Jacy Todd has gone to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs' mental health resources time and time again, trying what felt like a new prescription monthly. But, he said, it wasn't until he tried medical cannabis that he found the right solution. 

Today, he and his wife, Pam Todd, are encouraging people to stop by their Grand Island store, Herban Pulse, to learn more about CBD, hemp, and cannabis. They said they're hoping that by sharing information, they may help Nebraskans For Medical Marijuana to gather its goal of 5,000 more signatures on the petition's last day.

It's been a long journey for the Todds to have reached where they are as co-owners of a CBD shop.

Todd was a medic for a long time during Operation Desert Shield and then Desert Storm. Along with his medical background, he also learned how his veteran friends were treating their PTSD and other disabilities with medical cannabis. 

Meanwhile, his wife said she was against medical marijuana initially. She explained that only through education was she able to drop the stigmas with which she associated it. 

"There's a misconception of it being a gateway drug that kills kids — but that's opioids," Jacy Todd said. "With this plant, you cannot overdose on it." They point to the CDC factoid that there have been 0 known reported deaths from marijuana.

The couple said they are ecstatic about the petition. 

"It's amazing how many people in the last four or five days came to sign it," Pam Todd said. In fact, during their interview with NCN, another person came in to sign. "We've seen families across the state fighting for their lives," she said. 

You can talk to them at 2418 N Webb Rd Suite P, Grand Island, NE 68803.

Find A Signing Event — Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (nebraskamarijuana.org)