 Aloha, I'm Marcia Joyner, and this is Cannabis with Honour, a 10,000 year audit. And we have come together for the last two years to learn all about over the 10,000 years cannabis has been used, well first it's a plant, it's used for food and medicine and religion and dear old Uncle Sam, we can't talk about cannabis without Uncle Sam. But in Hawaii we have legal medical and today we're going to talk to a dear friend and you'll know I only talk to dear friends, we're going to talk to Theo Alexander about medical cannabis and it's used for, in his case, the veterans and his whole business is about PTSD and other things that affect veterans and how this product helps them with PTSD. So Theo, welcome, thank you again for always coming on, tell us how you got started with Camo, or what does Camo mean? Camo, and thanks for having us on the show, it's always a good time with good friends to come on and talk about what we're doing, helping to evolve our state's 329 program. What is a 329 program? The 329 program is our state registry for medical cannabis, access to medical cannabis. So to be able to go into a dispensary or utilize a drug in a medical format, you have to have a 329 card. Oh, okay, so the 329 is about the card? Yes it is. That is the state issued card? Yes. So that you, for people who qualify for medical cannabis? Yes. Okay, all right. Yes, so with Camo, Camo stands for complementary and alternative medicines of Oahu. Camo started out as an ideal, an idea. A lot of people wanted to use cannabis, didn't know the process. The process wasn't very clear in the early 2000s when they first started to come out and say legislatively, cannabis is available for people who qualify with living conditions, medical diagnosis. And from 2000 up to now, the state has made leaps and bounds when it comes to giving people access to cannabis. As long as you have a qualifying medical condition and a doctor that's boarded here in Hawaii. So the doctor has to be board certified in Hawaii? Yes. Can't be some other doctor someplace else? Some doctors have dual boarding in other states but they have to be boarded in Hawaii. In Hawaii, yes. Okay. Yes, and so we were more interested in getting veterans access given the 22 suicides a day and over 30 overdose, actual overdose deaths a day that we're seeing in our ranks. Overdose of opioids. Of opioids. And if you've been watching the news lately, Oklahoma has successfully sued Perdue, Jansson and Johnson and Johnson for this reason. And I would say that some of this is going to link into the VA's purview because of course we do have some veterans that either commit suicide accidentally or intentionally. How do you commit suicide accidentally? Because with that medication, there's a lot of drug interaction. There's a lot of safety precaution with it. And if you take it outside those safety precautions, you make the side effect is overdose. Oh, I see. So taking too much of it or drinking with it. I mean, any of those things could happen. So it could happen. Okay. Unintentionally. Yeah. So now you're a veteran. Yes. Tell us about your service. Yes. Well, I'm a Gulf War veteran. I entered into the Gulf War veteran. So why all that? No, no, no, seriously. But that was that, no, what was it? In the Gulf War? The Gulf War. It was the Persian Gulf War. That was the sprat uranium? Yes. I was on the aircraft carrier. So we were always dealing with bombs. Most of it was made with the uranium material. So it's radioactive material. So you get affected by this radioactive material? Yes. Does everybody else on the ship? Yes. It's a can. If you're standing within 100 feet of a uranium scut missile, that's the can to 1,000 x-ray. So you come out with this ailment? So that's why your focus is on... Yes. I get it. Okay. The early 90s, I've been focused on trying to find a way to mitigate a multi-symptom diagnosis. They just came out with Gulf War syndrome. It's still not really recognized as well as PTSD syndrome or Agent Orange, but 85% of the veterans who serve along with me, almost 270,000 men and women, still don't have any relief or any medical benefit or claim to their symptoms to mitigate or treat medical treatment. But what's happening right now, they do have a registry. They're looking at it more intensely. But more importantly, PTSD is being managed by some things like alternative medicine, whether that's mindful meditation therapy, whether that's equine therapy, horticulture therapy, anything that is going to get the veteran in the mind instead of progression in the mental state of mind and away from some of the abuse or some of the triggers that they might have at the VA or just in life in general on a job site. So our goal when creating CAMO, Complementary Alternative Medicine of Oahu, is to guide the veterans who are in need of those type of treatments alternatively into the process of finding something that may work for them personally or individually. So now you have a master's degree in some kind of medical or something. Yes, I hold a master's degree in healthcare administration. So I've been in that administrative of different divisions of hospitals and things like that and responsibility for orthopedic surgical centers. So I have a pretty in-depth look at how the policies and procedures kind of work along with how you can get billing for treating veterans. We're getting over the stigma right now of veterans getting treatment now that we have the Community Care Program, which was the VA Choice Program, but now we have a wider, a broader opportunity for veterans to seek help out in the community versus in the physician. Yes, I remember the bills specifically said Hawaii and Alaska. Yes, yes, yes. Due to its geographical makeup that the bill targeted Hawaii and Alaska. So now these are some of the products that you, that your patients, the other veterans. Yeah, we found a manufacturer in Oklahoma, fortunately. That's an FDA registered laboratory they manufacture out of. So they operate or manufacture at the highest standard of formulation. So we was looking for something like that to make it more safe, more reliable for a veteran who is seeking alternative means of treating their symptom. And we have been able to give this to patients and they found some relief. We don't make any medical claim. We kind of just have people try it. If it works for them, you know, keep doing it, you know. And so one of the things Camo does is introduce the patient to the opportunity to be educated first on the product and what it will do with your body and then also to get into a 329 system. All of our products are THC-free, so it's CBD-based products. But we do have access to physicians who we refer our veterans to to get their 329 card appointment to be approved. So they get an appointment. You recommend certain doctors, I guess, in their neighborhood or whatever. Then they go to the doctor. And the doctor examines and says, yes, you have such and such and you are eligible to get the card. Is that the process? So once the doctor approves the appointment or once the patient goes to the doctor's appointment and the medical record is documented, they just then forward it to the Department of Health here and they make the approving decision. Once that approving decision is made, the veteran will get their card within a 7-day, 10-day time period. And at that point in time, once they have their card, they can enter into the dispensary to get other medications that are more THC-based. But they can only get the THC in the dispensary? Yes, that's the only legal place. So none of these have... Yes, we formulate with zero THC. We extract the THC out of the USDA certified hemp seed that we grow to produce our product. Once we get their product processed, we then extract the THC out of it, preserving this CBD. Then we formulate from there. Oh, okay. So then it's completely safe. Yes, it's completely safe. National Institutes of Health have even said the World Health Organization has said, cannabis itself, full spectrum or broad spectrum, is the safest medicine known to man. So what we try to do is help veterans that are experiencing symptoms and others. We don't try to turn anyone away. But as far as veteran specific, because of the 22 Suicide Day, because of the 30 Acid and Overdose, we are very focused on bringing a better treatment protocol to veterans. They include follow-up services. So with CAMO, once the patient or the veteran goes to get their card, once they have it in hand, we'll continue service with them. We don't charge the veteran for that. But if they need to have patient education or more education with their condition like cannabis or CBD may or may not help, we'll provide that for them. So these all do different things? Yes. Well, overall, CBD in the body helps to return the body to a more homeostatic environment. It helps to relieve pain or a chronic condition. So that's one thing that a lot of veterans are experiencing because of chemical exposure or debilitating injury. There's going to be a lot of pain. One of the most common conditions that is proved for veterans, at least, here in the state of Hawaii. So that's one of those. But you don't know which one will work on who. Is that correct? That's a part of this. You can't say, absolutely, for your pain, this is going to do. Well, I said, fortunately, we have a group out of Oklahoma, Tantec Products. They have a number of different things. They have over 70 products that we source from. And they try and formulate to the condition or a group condition. But the best thing it is is to have a third-party analysis, make sure that you have a botanical, not a synthetic variation of CBD. A lot of people are, if you've seen the news, the vaping, ECIG, and some of them are saying it's medical marijuana, that's all contributing to synthetic products. That's contributed by synthetic products. So if I wanted to, all of this would go to the lab and they would give you exactly a printout of what it is, what's in it, and what have you. Yes, so all of our products. So that it would be safe. Yes, all of our products have a third-party analysis. And we also have internal quality controls that we use. So all of our products will test with CBD zero THC, with no contaminant. No contaminant. Oh, that's wonderful. To know that, yes. So now, do each of these do something different? Well, we advise that with the pain balms, the pain balm right here, so that's a deep penetrating. So you rub it on. It goes into the CB1, CB2 nerve endings and helps to relieve pain. So you don't ingest that? No, the application is just, it's a topical. You rub it on in the acute area or in the infected area. And what is this lavender? So the lavender is our massage oil. We have lavender and peppermint. It's really good for massage. A lot of our massage therapists that are associated with us that we refer to, we'll use that to help the patient with the pain. Decrease inflammation. Inflammation, uh-huh. And then here we have one of our newest products called Active Duty RX. And this is for a uniformed personnel, whether you're a first responder or a person in uniform. Some people have told me that, you know, being in uniform, they've been advised through the medical association that they cannot have any cannabinoid in their body. And I leave that between them and their doctors and whatever regulations they have to abide by in uniform. But some of our firefighters, our policemen, our EMT personnel, they take these products on a regular basis. So that one would be safe for them? Yes. And that's our PTSD formula. So again, no medical claim, but we've seen some symptoms that are mitigated by the doctors on documentation. But until we get the health department to advocate for us a little better and give us more of a guideline to go by as far as what these conditions can help with, if you look at the conditions that qualify a person for the 329 card program, these are some of the same conditions that CBD is going to help with. So, I mean, hopefully we can get them to have more, a little bit more advocacy. Well, now for these, do you need a 329 card? Not at all. Not at all. You don't have to have a card. When you come to our services or when you enter to our website, 808-CAMO.org, by the way, you will find that we will help you through the process. A lot of this is education. Proper learning will give you the understanding of what you can do, how you can do it. And then we also have the products that you can experience. But with the 329 card program, you definitely have to have a medical evaluation from a board of physicians. Okay. Well, we need to take a break. And when we come back, we want to talk to another member of CAMO. And he is going to tell us about your upcoming stand-down. Yeah. Okay. We're excited about that. Yes. All right. We'll be back in one minute. The Cook Foundation. Dwayne Kurisu. The Hawaii Community Foundation. The Hawaii Council of Associations of Apartment Owners. Hawaii Energy. The Hawaii Energy Policy Forum. Hawaiian Electric Company. Integrated Security Technologies. Galen Ho of BAE Systems. Kamehameha Schools. MW Group. The Shidler Family Foundation. The Sydney Stern Memorial Trust. Volo Foundation. Yuriko J. Sugimura. Thanks so much to you all. Hi, Marcia. And we're back. And today we are talking about the 329 stand-down. Did I get it right? Veterans stand-down. Okay. And we're talking to James J.T. as we call him. And you've met J.T. before. Very glad to be back. J.T. is also one of the board members of CAMO. And what is your position with CAMO? Mostly the community outreach. Community. I'd like to be more hands-on, yes. Community outreach. But now you're studying nursing, are you? Yes, that's actually my passion. The first stage, first responder is something that I really enjoy doing. I intend to go orthopedic surgeon eventually. Oh, great. I want to get my doctor. So, but you are a veteran. Yes. And you were a medic? Yes, I was a medic. I was stationed here at School for Barracks for a while. And I taught first stage. And I'm about last-ever. So you know firsthand about all of the ailments and problems with veterans. That's actually what drove me to start, to help start the organization that we're working. Coming home with transition and transitioning with PTSD and other friends and neighbors PTSD. A lot of homeless veterans here in Hawaii also have. So it was only right to reach out. Now tell us about this event that's coming up. We have a poster about the three to nine veterans stand down. Okay. What is a stand down? Stand down is where you get a group of organizations that have a similar goal, similar focus. And in this case is helping veterans to help raise awareness of medical use of CBD medical cannabis and to put out more information for the state three to nine program. Okay. So to help the State Department of Health help advocate for proper use and proper dosing. Well now with what is the word stand down? Because most people say what is a stand down? I mean for those of us that have spent our lives with the Uncle Sam we know what a stand down is. But tell us audience what is a stand down? It's basically where we come and you get services. Veterans. Yeah. We don't turn anyone away but it's initially for veterans, primarily for veterans. Yeah so but even active duty don't they have stand downs? They do actually. More so after deployment after we come home and we've been debriefed already. Then there are groups of organizations who provide different information about resources that are available for the soldiers when they come home to help with their transition back into society. Reintegration. Is that what it is? Okay. Yes that's the goal of the stand down. Stand down there's two. Oh okay. So now you're going to have this stand down. Tell us what's going to happen? You have a lot of good speakers coming in. Mainly Dr. Sue Sisley. Tell us about her. Yeah. She's amazing. She's been advocating for veterans used for CBD and clinical studies for a lot of years now. Actually she has her own institute on Arizona I believe. She's been doing amazing research. She was at the time the only doctor who was approved by the FDA to do the research. So it's really amazing that we have her on board. So she's done the clinical trials. Right. The only one. Right. Is that what you said? The only one? Right. She was the only one who was approved. So she'll be here to talk to you about her findings with her. Yes. And then do I understand that she's... That this is about her findings for how cannabis helps with PTSD. Yes. Correct. As well as also to help inform the community, look community. A lot of people are more interested in CBD now that the laws are changing. But they still don't necessarily know where to go to get proper information. And there are a lot of not clean, not good products on the market. So to know what you're using and to get just all around better quality of information. Well, yeah. Because the ABC store sells. Everyone sells. Right. But if you check the labels on a lot of those. How do you know? Right. And that's another reason why the three two nine stand down to so important because we put out the information. We have different agencies. Jokehouse. I'm sorry. Dr. Wendy. Wendy Gibson. Yes. Another one. Very, very wise. She's been a guest. Yes. Right. And we have others. It's just, it's very exciting. There's a lot of people who, a lot of dispensaries as well. And since of. So that they will. So this is an information briefing as well. Absolutely. The product. Absolutely. So is that anything special. So you're the doctors will be there. That. Give card. Right. Your flyer said. Free. So what's free. Okay. The. We cover the venue. And we cover the doctor. But it says that you're going to give free cards. Free cards. Certain people. Medical evaluations. Right. We cover the cost of the doctor's evaluations. And actually when a lot of the doctors. The evaluation costs. One hundred two hundred three hundred dollars sometimes depending on where. And a lot of the patients are on fixed income. They cannot afford that. So we cover that fee and all this patient has to pay. Is the thirty eight fifty to the department of health. Cover the other. So you cover all those fees. So you're good for the veterans that show up. Right. That you're going to cover that. That's. Great. Trying to get it to become a service. This across the board to where veterans are. Who can come to us and we can actually cover that. Another reason why we're fundraising big. So. Is there a charge. To. Participate. There's no fee to participate. The only fee. Is the thirty eight fifty to the department of health. So that every veteran. Absolutely. What about active duty. Can they come to. They can come to get information if they would like. As far as I know I think it's still not. DVD is not available for active duty yet because of regulations. But if they're looking for information or different. Anyone looking for information. Trying to stand down how to help veterans. And CBD. Of. Should come. Well will there be other topics other than CBD. And. There will depending on which speakers are speaking. We have. A nice. At least about 10 different people who intend on coming. And so. Okay. So we have. Dr. Wendy Gibson. And she's. Amazing. She is amazing. I had so much of what I learned. I've gotten from her. Definitely a. Troubler. Yes. My introduction. To her was. Cannabis 101. Yeah. She's. Right. She's very smart. Yes. A lot of passion. I like watching Wendy go. Yes. And that's a little sparrow. Also. Senator spare. Correct. Yes. And he's doing. Television now. Right. Yeah. He's doing the high on art. The Hawaii. And the art one. He's also doing. Cannabis oriented. Television show too. Yeah. Because he was. One of those. When he was a senator. With the very beginning. Of this whole movement. Of medical cannabis. Him and. Senator. Yes. Hopefully we can get to. Is he coming. I hope so. I definitely intend to reach out to him. And many of the city council members. If they intend to come. Nobody's excluded. Definitely everybody's welcome. I would love to have them come and take part in the conversation. And be around. The. VA directors. Anyone who's interested in helping veterans. Or just getting the information. You know. Getting more. A better understanding of. Yeah. Gladly. I would think that. Especially. Tulsi being. A veteran. Herself. Absolutely. Yeah. Is she a veteran. Yeah. She's still on active duty. Yeah. You're right. After your active duty. I think initially it was. After you've served. She's still on active. She's still on active. She's also deployed too. Yes. Right. So she. Either. Same team. Same team. I'm excited about it. I welcome it. Yes. I'm. A veteran herself. Absolutely. Yeah. Is she a veteran yet. She's still on active duty. Yeah. Definitely. Definitely. And her father actually is very vocal. And about. Medical cannabis use as well. So I would love to have. Any of them or any medium of their team. You know their office to come and support. I'll be amazing. His office has been very. Supportive. Of. Whenever they've asked. To be on the show they've always. And he was. Really. Working. On. Him. As an industry but. The paper the other day said they will. Burn up. Because it had too much to. Right. A lot of people who grow. They don't know. You cannot just look at your seed and know. How much TAC qualities in it. And a lot of patients are learning the hard way. Through trial and error growing their medication. And unfortunately. Getting their medication taken away. So. Yeah. It's been happening a lot recently also. It's sad because these patients need their. Medication. We need someone who actually has. Him. See. No. CBD high strains. To. You know. To step in and. Because the card says you can grow your own. Right. How would I know how to grow it. All of that. So that's another reason why this event so important. We have different. Local. Growers. Patients. Who are knowledgeable in that field. Who intend on coming. So what. So you have somebody that could guide you through. The growing process. So there are actually a couple of farms out here that help. Disabled veterans. The. For therapeutic purposes to grow. And the show. Campbell actually we. We had an older office. We taught classes. But because the classes became so large and our office was. So small. We. Right. Right. Now we have our kiosk over at the. Ohana holly marketplace where people can come. But we still you know we need a larger space. Yeah. And you. Grow and. Because. If. If I. Got. 10 plants. I don't know. I mean. You have to get them all tested. Where do you grow. And if you live in an apartment. Right. How would you go. A lot of places don't have that. A regulation or anything set in place for patients. To grow their medication where they live. That's another. So you all are doing that also. Advocating for. Okay. Well listen we are. Just about out of time. One more time. Here. The flyer. Can we look at the flyer one more time. And we have. It's all ready. Go. And thank you so much. And we'll see you next time. Aloha.