Veterans and those involved in veteran causes are among the many diverse award recipients of the DaySavers Higher Potential Scholarship. The first-of-its-kind initiative to forge the next generation of cannabis industry leadership, the Higher Potential Scholarship consists of more than 200 prizes totaling more than $25,000. All of the opportunities were made possible by donations from 25 different cannabis industry brands, businesses, and organizations.
Scholarship recipients include Hannah Eko, a Coast Guard veteran from La Puente, California; David Loos, a Saint Paul, Minnesota-based Army Reserve veteran and founder of a non-profit that helps veterans grow cannabis at home and prepare for cannabis industry careers; and Lauren Bratcher of Cave City, Kentucky, a nonprofit leader who advocates for policies that prioritize patients, veterans, women, and Indigenous families.
A 2023 retrospective study from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, found that one in 10 military veterans had reported using cannabis within the last year. Veterans commonly cite pain and mood disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder as reasons for using cannabis.
Despite many veterans opting to use cannabis, sometimes in place of other prescription drugs or alcohol, they have historically been barred from legally accessing it through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs due to the federally illegal status of the plant. This lack of access is slowly changing, though. Veterans Affairs doctors may recommend cannabis to patients in legal states, according to amendments in the House-approved VA budget bill for fiscal 2026. Veterans Affairs doctors will not be able to prescribe medical cannabis under federal law, though. They can only engage in open, honest conversations with veterans about its potential benefits.
Many veterans end up in the cannabis industry because of their first-hand experience with the plant’s therapeutic benefits. The DaySavers Higher Potential Scholarship Award will help these industry players advance cannabis education, equity, and industry innovation.
“As a veteran, cannabis has helped me immensely in my post-service life,” said David Loos. “It has helped me find purpose in my career again.”
Loos and other recipients were selected based on their application and personal essay that covered their background, interests, passion, and cannabis journey.
“These awards will help provide potentially life-changing access to education about one of the fastest-growing and most exciting industries in the country, impacting both the lives of the students and the business of cannabis in general,” said James Valentine, DaySavers’ Communications & Content Marketing Manager and Scholarship Administrator. “This is an investment in people and in the future of the industry.”
