New York: Robert O’Neill, the decorated former SEAL Team 6 operator, has entered the cannabis industry with Operator Canna Co, a state-licensed marijuana brand aimed at supporting veterans dealing with PTSD and stress-related disorders. A portion of the company’s revenue will be donated to charities supporting disabled veterans.
O’Neill, who was part of the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, told the New York Post that his inspiration for entering the cannabis sector stemmed from watching fellow veterans struggle with mental health issues.
“It’s a good way to take the edge off. It helps to get rid of the noise,” he explained.
His company ‘Operator’—named after his memoir and podcast—draws heavily from his military background. The company’s website features a sniper bullseye cursor and a green military fatigue colour scheme. The cannabis strains also have military-themed names, including:
Healer-Indica
Warrior-Sativa
Shooter-Hybrid
The cannabis is cultivated at a farm in upstate New York and will initially be available exclusively at The Flowery dispensaries in Staten Island, Queens, Upper West Side, SoHo (Manhattan).
O’Neill believes that marijuana offers a safer alternative to alcohol and prescription medication for individuals in high-stress professions, including military personnel and first responders.
“If we take cannabis, we can have better conversations. We have the potential for world peace right here,” he joked.
During his time in the military, cannabis was strictly prohibited, but O’Neill now sees it as a potential game-changer for mental health and wellness.
Mission to support veterans
Operator Canna Co. states on its website:
“Our mission is to help veterans and others find healthier alternatives to harmful substances like alcohol and opiates. By offering premium, hand-crafted cannabis, we aim to provide a path to recovery and well-being, while empowering those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms.”
Robert O’Neill remains a well-known figure due to his role in Operation Neptune Spear, the mission that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. He considers himself fortunate to have survived the mission, having initially believed that bin Laden was wearing explosives that would detonate and kill the entire team of Navy SEALs. “I thought that would be my last day on Earth: We’re going to kill him, and he’s going to kill us. We were able to fulfill the mission,” he said.
