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Cannabis Spotlight

Heather Schieferle Preysz How did you get started within the

Buds for Vets, Inc. cannabis industry?
I am the daughter of a Vietnam era Combat Marine
and the sister of an Army Special Ops Veteran and was
medically ineligible for service myself. I had my first
What benefits do you see for patients through- ovarian cyst rupture at 17 and by 19 I was diagnosed
out Florida within this space?
with PTSD. I struggled with night terrors and debilitat-
Giving patients the option to experience natural relief
ed panic attacks, GAD (general anxiety disorder) and
without fear of governmental overreach is a must for our
insomnia until finding cannabis and I realized that
beautiful state. I feel strongly that Florida should lead the
though I could not serve my country in the same way
way out of the opiate epidemic. Statistically speaking, Florida
as my dad or brother, I could help my Veteran brothers
holds an incredible amount of responsibility for the opiate
and sisters who are suffering.
crisis in our country and allowing cannabis to be used freely

as risk reduction therapy is imperative. Are you personally a MJ card holder?
Yes absolutely.
What motivates you to be a part of the Cannabis Heather Schieferle Preysz
Industry? Do you see Florida moving forward with recreational
I am a relatively new cannabis patient myself. I voted for medical marijuana Marijuana/Cannabis and how will that affect your business?
as a resident of California in 1996, but I had only purchased marijuana once in
I am not focused on recreational cannabis at this time. My priority is
my life. Upon being recommended medical marijuana under the table by my
patient access which has a long way to go here in Florida. It is of utmost
then specialist in Jacksonville 5 years ago, it took me three months to even try
importance to me that our veterans are allowed affordable access and our
using it because I just did not believe it would be able to help me. I was 43 and
current system is absolutely unaffordable for most of our neediest veterans.
weary. It has changed my life in such an amazing way that I feel absolutely
We believe being able to grow your own cannabis flower is a natural right
compelled to help as many patients as possible.
and if our government can entrust our military men and women to protect
our country, they absolutely should be entrusted with growing a few
What field are you in within the Cannabis space?
cannabis plants for their personal medicine. I will not rest until this is a real-
I founded and am the Executive Director for Buds for Vets, Inc. a Florida ity here in Florida.
nonprofit. I do have some fun ideas in the works for cannabis tourism businesses
once legal. I live in not only the most beautiful town in Florida, but the old-
How can people in Florida benefit from the est city in the country and cannot wait for tourists to experience St.
company you represent?
Augustine while elevated!
We have been very fortunate to partner with medical marijuana doctors all
over the state who provide free first time MMJ patient appointments to our pre-
qualified veterans who are rated 70% disabled or higher. We are actually cele-
brating 500 Veterans served this month!

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