Our Story

Louisiana Congressional Testimony

Gary and Brianna Hardy testify before Louisiana State Congress in support of medical cannabis treatment in Louisiana.

VAHA URL

• Brianna Hardy Congressional Testimonyspouse Of Gary Hess
• Gary Hess Congressional Testimonial

Source URL

• Brianna
• Gary

Inhalation Delivery Allowed in Louisiana

Louisiana unanimously passes legislation to allow medical cannabis inhalation delivery systems.

VAHA URL

• Gary Hess Doctors Can Recommend Marijuana To Treat Any Illness Under New Law In Louisiana

Source URL

• Doctors Can Recommend Marijuana Treat Any Illness Under New La Law

Additional Resource URL(s)

• Bill Allow Medical Marijuana Be Smoked Moves Forward La House

Louisiana’s First Patient

Gary Hess becomes the first patient and veteran to receive a medical cannabis recommendation in the state of Louisiana.

VAHA URL

• Gary Hess After Years Of Waiting Medical Marijuana Sold In Louisiana

Source URL

• Louisiana Launching Medical Marijuana After Years Of Waiting

Additional Resource URL(s)

• Louisiana Patients Finally Get Their Medical Marijuana
• After 4 Year Wait, Louisiana Medical Patients Can Get Some Weed
• Louisiana Pharmacies Launch Medical Cannabis Sales
• Article
• First Louisiana Veteran Receive Approved Marijuana Treatment Tuesday

Advocacy Begins

Gary Hess becomes a public advocate for medical cannabis and is invited to present to a panel at Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week 2020.

Pennington Biomedical Presentation

Gary Hess is invited to speak on the efficacy of medical cannabis to the healthcare community at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Facility.

VAHA Executive Director Gary Hess was invited to speak at a closed-door breakfast in Washington, D.C., hosted by Ohio Rep.

Dave Joyce for newly elected Republican representatives. The event takes place every two years, covering various topics of interest. This year's focus was on cannabis and the role the federal government can play in its regulation and policy.

Hess emphasized “Although research is an incredibly important issue, the focus needs to remain on access, especially for the veteran community. It is abundantly clear that the pharmaceutical strategies being employed to treat our conditions are not working. Veterans in every state need real, viable options to heal. These options should be open for discussion and available to us through our local VA.”

Cannabis industry titans and vaha collaborate to drive the safe banking act forward

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Between June 12th and 15th, cannabis industry leaders, including Cresco Labs, Curaleaf, the National Cannabis Roundtable, and the U.S. Cannabis Council, along with the Veterans Alliance for Holistic Alternatives (VAHA), converged in a joint effort to urge congress members for the passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act this legislative session

Among the attendees were Charlie Bachtell, Founder and CEO of Cresco Labs; Gary Hess, Executive Director of VAHA; Matt Darin, CEO of Curaleaf; and Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of Marijuana Policy Project, alongside other significant figures from the cannabis industry and advocacy groups.

This united advocacy initiative garnered the attention and support of numerous congressional members such as Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), and Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH), along with 17 other members of Congress.

VAHA was a standout contributor in this collective effort, using its powerful voice to convey the dire need for SAFE Banking Act directly to lawmakers. Through personal conversations with Representatives and Senators from both sides of the aisle, VAHA painted a vivid picture of the pressing issues faced by the cannabis industry and the transformative potential of the SAFE Banking Act.

The core discussions were focused on extending the current definition of financial institutions that governs the hemp industry to the regulated cannabis market, thus providing a safe harbor and fostering an environment of economic fairness.

The SAFE Banking Act is being hailed as a public safety bill with the intent to quell the burgeoning $75 billion illicit cannabis market, thereby leveling the playing field against foreign competitors.

Gary Hess, the Executive Director of VAHA, gave an impassioned explanation of the SAFE Banking Act's far-reaching implications for the Veteran community:

"As a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, we use medical cannabis to save lives and improve the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of veterans and trauma survivors. However, we are hindered in our efforts to scale our business and help more veterans due to a lack of access to capital and financial resources available to other industries. By providing access to financial institutions and capital markets, VAHA and its affiliates can effectively combat the suicide and opioid epidemic plaguing the Veteran and Trauma communities."

In conclusion, with the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, Congress must afford domestic cannabis companies the same access to the regulated financial institutions and services enjoyed by other domestic industries, thus fostering equitable growth, creating jobs, and driving economic development across the U.S.

Modern Health Alliance Holds Inaugural Meeting, Advocating for Revolutionary Approaches to Medicine with Psilocybin and Cannabis

Washington, D.C., September 14, 2023 – The Veterans Alliance for Holistic Alternatives had the honor of speaking at the first-ever meeting of the Modern Health Alliance (MHA) this past week. The meeting focused on advocating for federal policies that promote the development and usage of safe and effective medicines derived from psilocybin and cannabis.

About the Modern Health Alliance

MHA aims to be at the forefront of legislative, regulatory, and policy development, encouraging research and education on alternative medicines like psilocybin and cannabis. Their mission is to address the unmet medical and mental health needs by promoting evidence-based therapies. By engaging researchers, business leaders, patients, and policymakers, MHA aims to push forward the frontiers of medical research for the benefit of society.

The Urgent Need for New Approaches to Medicine

"The medical field is at an exciting crossroads," said Gary Hess, Executive Director of the Veterans Alliance for Holistic Alternatives. "The data show these compounds can be safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective when used in the right set and setting. It's time we looked past the stigma and considered the science."

Mental Health Crisis in America

"As a nation, we are facing a mental health crisis that can no longer be ignored," Hess emphasized. "The alarming rise in suicide rates and opioid addiction clearly indicates that our current approach is insufficient. We need urgent action and innovative therapies now more than ever."

Regulatory Pathways

Recent ballots in states like Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Colorado, and California are setting legislative precedent for the medical use of psilocybin. The challenge lies in ensuring these therapies are brought to market in a regulated, responsible manner. "Through proper channels and rigorous clinical trials, we can revolutionize how we treat a range of mental and physical conditions," added Hess.

Notable Attendees

The event featured an esteemed panel, including Ed Perlmutter, Partner at Holland & Knight and Former U.S. Rep. (D-Colo.), Dr. Anna Yusim, Director of the Yale School of Medicine Spirituality & Mental Health Center, and other leading experts from the fields of law, healthcare, and policy.

Moving Forward

As MHA kicks off its advocacy efforts, it promises to be a vanguard in promoting safe, regulated, and effective alternative therapies. Their initial meeting serves as a call to action for society to recognize the need for a holistic approach to medicine that marries scientific rigor with human well-being.