Veterans of Foreign Wars announced a new partnership with Torch Beverage Co. to place VFW branding on some of the Florida company’s cannabis-infused beverage products with proceeds supporting initiatives for veterans, according to the VFW. (Torch Beverage Co. )
Veterans of Foreign Wars — the national advocacy group for former service members — has signed a deal with a national beverage maker to offer cannabis-infused drinks at VFW chapters in states and jurisdictions where recreational marijuana use is legal.
Sales of Torch cannabis seltzer drinks at hundreds of VFW posts nationwide are part of a new marketing partnership announced Tuesday by the veterans organization. The initiative will place VFW branding on select Torch hemp-derived beverages, with proceeds supporting veterans initiatives, according to the VFW.
“Under the licensing agreement, select VFW-branded Torch beverage products will be made available, and proceeds will directly support VFW initiatives such as the National Veterans Service program, which provides no-cost assistance to veterans navigating the VA claims process, and veterans and military support programs, which deliver financial assistance to military families,” the VFW said in a written statement.
This marks the first time a major veterans service organization has collaborated in such a way with a cannabis company. VFW has 1.4 million members.
“This new relationship between Torch Drinks LLC and the VFW brings a federally compliant and responsibly formulated alternative to one of the most respected veteran service organizations in the United States,” the VFW and the beverage company said in a joint statement.
Torch beverages contain Delta-9 THC, the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants, according to the company. The compound creates the “high” effect associated with cannabis use.
VFW chapters and posts will begin offering the low-dose version of the flavored seltzer drinks later this year.
“Oh, wow. That’s amazing. Cannabis has saved my life,” said Army veteran Matthew Gibson, who served from 1998-2008, with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. The former sergeant said cannabis has helped ease his chronic migraines and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as anxiety and insomnia.
The canned drinks will be offered at local VFW posts and other meeting facilities in states and jurisdictions where cannabis use is legal.
“Torch Drinks is proud to work with the VFW to provide veterans with a safe, federally compliant, social alternative that is like none other,” said Collin Kerrigan, co-founder of Torch Beverage Co.
Gibson, 45, said he is not a VFW member but might consider joining.
“Working with Torch helps us raise funds for those vital programs while also allowing us to explore better ways to meet the needs of an evolving veterans community,” VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore said.
“While the VFW is not a pro-cannabis organization, we understand the need for adult consumption alternatives to better meet the needs of an evolving veterans’ community,” Whitmore said.
Forty states, three territories and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical use.
Twenty-four states, two territories and the District of Columbia have legalized small amounts of cannabis for adult recreational use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
But at the federal level, marijuana and marijuana products continue to be illegal.
Veterans organizations have urged the VA to conduct more research into cannabis as an alternative to narcotics to treat chronic pain, PTSD and the effects of traumatic brain injury.
The Food and Drug Administration has recognized increased interest in the use of cannabis to relieve the symptoms of a variety of medical conditions, including cancer. Of the states that allow medical marijuana, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury and PTSD are often qualifying medical ailments.
Marijuana advocates have stated legal access to medical cannabis could decrease opioid use among veterans prescribed the narcotic for chronic pain, according to Disabled American Veterans.
Gibson said he would like to see veterans posts begin to offer designated areas where members can smoke cannabis.
“Cannabis is a safer option to alcohol,” said Gibson, who is prescribed medical marijuana.
