Army Vet Wants To Give Away Pot To Others Who Have Served

DENVER (CBS4)- A veteran who served in the military during Vietnam wants to give away marijuana to others who have served.

"True patriots support cannabis for heroes," said Army veteran Roger Martin.

Martin is on a mission to help troubled veterans in Colorado. His solution is free marijuana.

Martin, 61, is the executive director of Operation Grow4Vets. It's a non-profit group that gives free pot and growing supplies to veterans in Colorado who are hooked on prescription drugs or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

"To help them be in a position where they can lessen the drug use they're taking and hopefully live a productive life.

Martin said the project hits close to home. Years ago he became hooked on oxycontin. A doctor switched him to marijuana and he said his life changed.

Martin's website www.grow4vets.org touts cannabis as a "safe alternative to deadly drug cocktails."

The company went online Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning more than 200 veterans had already applied for assistance.

Veterans and companies are donating grow supplies, edibles and cannabis oil.

Martin says our vets deserve it, "We owe these veterans. When you enlist in the military they promise to take care of you. A lot of times they don't."

Last week lawmakers in Colorado voted to deny marijuana as an approved treatment for PTSD.

Martin said he plans to fight that decision, "I think it's an absolute disgrace. Where is the compassion?"

Under Amendment 64, which legalized recreational use of marijuana, giving away pot is legal in Colorado.

Martin said anyone who wants to fight his company is welcome to try.

"If somebody wants to step up and challenge us when we're helping veterans, if they think that's the p.c. thing to do, good luck to them," said Martin.

Not everyone supports the idea. More than 220 lawmakers voted against allowing marijuana as an alternative treatment for PTSD.