Dispensary Gives Out Free Weed to Veterans

'Tis the season of giving, and a West Hollywood medical marijuana dispensary is getting into the spirit by doling out free marijuana for military veterans. As a "gift of appreciation," the pot shop Zen Healing has announced it will offer "a free quarter of high-quality medicine every harvest" (every three months) to veteran patients with proof of military service. The dispensary points out that federally-approved research has been investigating marijuana's potential to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (which reportedly impacts up to 30% of returning vets). However, there's also been contradictory evidence that cannabis may actually prolong the effects of PTSD. Nearly one in five of LA County's 51,240 documented homeless people is a veteran, according to the LA Homeless Services Authority. In addition to giving out free weed, Zen Healing also sponsors a free barbecue for the homeless every weekend. The shop's owner, Andrew Kramer, says he's "seeking to make a difference in the community in more than one way."