Former Navy SEALs have long been associated with discipline, secrecy, and an internal culture that prizes self-reliance. In recent years, a small but influential group of former operators has stepped into public view to advocate for cannabis—often framing it less as a culture-war symbol and more as a practical tool in the larger fight to reduce suffering among veterans.
One of the most visible voices is Nick Etten, a former Navy SEAL officer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate who founded the Veterans Cannabis Project (VCP). The organization positions itself as an education-and-advocacy nonprofit focused on improving veterans’ quality of life through access to cannabis, emphasizing outreach to lawmakers and veteran communities. The core argument Etten and VCP advance is straightforward: many veterans already live in states with legal medical cannabis, yet federal policy and institutional inertia still complicate access, research, and consistent medical guidance. That tension—state legality versus federal prohibition—remains a central theme across veteran cannabis advocacy.
Another prominent former SEAL in the conversation is Robert O’Neill, widely known for his account of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. In 2025, O’Neill drew major attention by launching a cannabis company and publicly discussing cannabis as an alternative he believes may help some veterans manage stress and sleep while moving away from heavier substances. Coverage of the launch underscored how his entry into the legal market doubled as public advocacy—using his platform to normalize the idea that veterans may seek cannabis in the same way they seek other forms of wellness support.
Advocacy also shows up in veteran-led entrepreneurship and peer support networks. Veterans Canna-Biz, for example, describes itself as founded by William Carroll, a former Navy SEAL, with a mission rooted in the challenges of reintegration and the “real toll” of post-service life. While groups vary in approach—policy campaigns, public speaking, business-building, or community guidance—they often share a common message: the military community deserves candid, evidence-based conversations about risks and benefits, rather than stigma or silence.
The policy context matters. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has stated that veterans will not be denied VA benefits because of marijuana use, while also outlining limitations shaped by federal law and clinical policy. Meanwhile, periodic congressional efforts to expand what VA clinicians can do regarding medical cannabis have become flashpoints for veteran advocates who want care options to reflect state legal realities.
What makes former SEAL voices distinctive is not celebrity alone, but credibility within a culture that can be skeptical of anything perceived as “soft.” When operators speak publicly, they often do so in the language of missions and outcomes: fewer opioids, fewer spirals, more stability at home. Their message is rarely that cannabis is a cure-all. Instead, it is a call for reform that prioritizes veteran autonomy, medical oversight, and honest education—so that those who served can pursue legal, regulated options without fear, confusion, or shame.
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