STANDING FOR VETERANS

VETERANS INITIATIVE 22 (VI22), A NONPROFIT BASED IN MARYLAND, was founded by military veteran Eryck Stamper. His career in the Navy began in 1990. He served his country for over 20 years, which included numerous tours of duty. However, once retiring, Stamper found a new calling in support of veterans’ access to medical cannabis, which began when he worked at two Maryland dispensaries. This eventually led to the creation of his company, The Maryland Hemp Exchange.

Named after the average number of veterans who die by suicide every day, VI22 is dedicated to bring awareness to the fact, and also help prevent future veterans from losing their lives to conditions that medical cannabis can help treat. High Times connected with Stamper in this exclusive interview, in which he talks about his history as aveteran, the goals of his organization and so much more.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your history as a veteran.

I am a resident of Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from Southern High School just behind the Inner Harbors