Former Navy SEALs are stepping into an unexpected battlefield—the halls of Congress—to fight for something they believe could save lives: access to medical cannabis. After decades of military service and years of struggling with chronic pain, PTSD, and opioid dependency, these elite veterans are now becoming some of the most powerful voices calling for reform.
A Mission That Didn’t End With Service
Many of these SEALs spent years in combat zones only to return home to a different kind of fight—the battle for their own health. For some, prescription medications didn’t work or came with side effects that made life unbearable. Cannabis, they say, offered relief and clarity that traditional treatments couldn’t provide.
Nick Etten, a former SEAL and founder of the Veterans Cannabis Project, has become one of the most vocal advocates pushing for federal change. His message is simple: veterans should not be criminalized or stigmatized for seeking a plant-based alternative that helps them heal. When someone who’s spent a career risking his life for the country speaks up, lawmakers tend to listen.
SEALs Bring the Fight to Capitol Hill
Congressional hearings in 2025 have begun featuring powerful testimony from decorated veterans who credit cannabis with helping them reclaim their lives. One SEAL veteran, who served 22 years on active duty, told lawmakers he’s lost over 20 of his teammates to suicide since leaving the service. He said it’s time the government explores every option—including cannabis—to stop the bleeding.
Their message is resonating. New bills, such as the Veterans CARE Act (H.R. 3584), are calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct formal studies on cannabis use for PTSD, pain, and trauma recovery. Another measure would finally allow VA doctors to discuss medical cannabis with their patients in states where it’s legal—a major step toward normalizing access.
Why These Voices Matter
This movement isn’t just about cannabis. It’s about trust, science, and respect for the people who’ve already given everything. Former SEALs are uniquely positioned to shift the debate from taboo to truth. When they testify that cannabis helped them sleep, eased anxiety, or replaced opioids, they humanize an issue that’s often clouded by politics.
For the VA and federal policymakers, that’s a tough perspective to ignore. As public support for reform continues to rise, these veterans are forcing Washington to reexamine outdated laws that prevent millions from exploring alternative care.
The Next Phase of the Mission
The federal ban on marijuana remains in place, but momentum is building. The VA is under growing pressure to update its policies, and congressional committees are finally engaging in honest dialogue about cannabis as medicine rather than a criminal concern.
Still, challenges lie ahead. Marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I substance continues to limit research, and the VA has historically resisted cannabis-related reforms. But if history has shown anything, it’s that SEALs don’t quit missions halfway.
What’s at Stake
This is more than a legislative debate — it’s a moral one. These veterans are asking for compassion, research, and choice. They’re not demanding shortcuts or special treatment, just the freedom to work with doctors who understand that healing doesn’t always come from a pill bottle.
Their message echoes far beyond the Capitol: “We fought for our country. Now we’re fighting for the right to heal.”
And in that mission, these former SEALs might just be the ones to finally break through the walls of federal prohibition.