420 Chief Podcast

At 18 years old, Chris McKinney joined the Army to escape a rough upbringing. He became an 11B Infantryman. He was nominated for Soldier of the Year. On paper? He was thriving. But behind the scenes… Anxiety. Depression. Intrusive thoughts. No real support. When he spoke up, he was told: “If you’re depressed… train more.” So he kept pushing, until something had to give. Then he found cannabis.... For the first time, his mind slowed down. The noise got quieter. He could finally breathe. But when his unit found out? He wasn’t helped. He was punished… and ultimately forced out. Most people would spiral. Chris rebuilt. He found Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and everything changed. He describes it as: “Cannabis and jiu-jitsu go together like peanut butter and jelly.” And now? 🔥 Ranked #18 in the world at the World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 🔥 Multiple-time High Rollers competitor (cannabis-friendly BJJ) 🔥 2x 1st Place Winner 🔥 Fought through injuries including a broken ribs 🔥 Gym owner: Artee Suave Jiu-Jitsu (West Virginia) 🔥 His girlfriend? #1 in her division This isn’t just a comeback story. It’s proof that the conversation around cannabis is changing. And it’s exposing a system that still punishes veterans instead of helping them heal. 💥 If you’re a veteran struggling, you’re not alone. 💥 If cannabis, fitness, or something else helped you, your story matters. Drop it in the comments. Let’s break this stigma together.

A proposed hemp ban in Missouri could strip access to vital relief for veterans, children with epilepsy, Parkinson's patients, and many others. This isn't just policy; it's about people losing help. #HempBan #Missouri #Epilepsy #Parkinsons #VeteransHealth #AccessToCare

Many veterans are finding relief and reducing reliance on prescription medication by exploring cannabis. Their willingness to try new paths for their well-being is leading to transformative results. #VeteranSupport #CannabisHealing #MentalHealth #AlternativeMedicine

Cannabis can help people overcome addiction and prescription reliance for pain, sleep, and anxiety. Discover how sharing stories creates a path to safer, natural healing. #VeteranWellness #CannabisHealing #EndTheStigma #NaturalRemedies #PTSDSupport

Many horror stories stem from starting too fast with cannabis. Learn to take your time, research, and listen to your body. Patience is key to a positive experience. #CannabisTips #StartSlow #Dosage #CannabisEducation

Growing cannabis offers therapeutic benefits, fostering purpose and creating a cleaner, more trusted product. It's a path to healing with intention. #VeteranSupport #CannabisCultivation #TherapeuticBenefits #PurposeDriven #CleanProduct

Dr. Jaclyn Schneider shared a powerful moment from her journey, one that speaks to both conviction and care. She explained that while she wasn’t directly forced, the choice became clear: continue down the path of prescribing opioids, or step away. She chose to walk away. Since then, she’s worked closely with veterans, many of whom don’t say a word at first. But over time, they open up. They share their stories. And that trust, leads to healing. #Healthcare #OpioidCrisis #Veterans #DoctorLife #MedicalEthics

Veterans face a grim choice: cannabis or critical VA-prescribed medications. Doctors warn of stopping life-saving drugs if cannabis is used. A deeply concerning dilemma.

Growing cannabis in my Garden of Weeden is therapy all by itself. When I slow down and pay attention, the plants tell me what they need—water, light, space, patience. Daily time in the garden builds a relationship… and you really do get to know your PLANTS #420Chief #GardenOfWeeden #CannabisCommunity #HomeGrow #GrowYourOwn #PlantMedicine #HealingJourney #Veterans #Mindfulness

Doc Ray is back! In this catch-up episode, I sit down again with “Doc Ray” Fowler, Army veteran, legendary Northern California cultivator, holder of five patented, and award winning, cannabis strains. He is also the first cannabis professor at Roanoke College. This time, we’re not just talking about the plant, we’re talking about the mission. Mission: DD-420 is happening during Virginia Spring Fest 2026 at Garrett Farms, followed by a veteran-only overnight experience built around connection, education, and making sure no veteran leaves without a mission or a battle buddy. In this conversation, Doc Ray and I discuss: Why cannabis should be treated as medicine, not marketing How terpenes, cannabinoids, and strain selection can support wellness, pain, sleep, and more. What legacy cultivators know that modern corporate cannabis is forgetting Why speed and profit are hurting the plant, the culture, and the patient What is DD-420? A safe, respectful, 420-friendly space for veterans to connect and decompress.

Walking into a dispensary without a plan usually means you’re buying based on a name, a budtender’s opinion, or THC percentage and that’s how people end up with the wrong experience. In this clip, Doc Ray breaks it down: start by knowing what you want (daytime vs nighttime, uplifting vs chill), then learn the terpenes that work best with your body. Because “creative and energized” is a different lane than “Netflix and nap all afternoon.” If you’ve ever bought something that didn’t match the vibe you wanted, you’re not alone, this is the education that fixes that. #Terpenes #CannabisEducation #podcast #StrainSelection #PlantMedicine #420Chief #shorts

My homegrown: clean, cured, and intentionally used. One or two hits are enough because I know exactly what it does for me. Recreational use often leads to consuming more. It's about quality and knowing your medicine. #HomegrownCannabis #IntentionalUse #CannabisEducation #WellnessJourney #DD420

I’m 420 Chief, and I’m inviting veterans to Mission: DD-420 — a veteran-focused space built for connection, support, and real healing. If you know a veteran who could benefit from being around other vets, learning, decompressing, and finding community, please share this with them. It might be the resource they didn’t know they needed. I’ve been to veteran meetups all over the country, and what I love most is the diversity—different branches, backgrounds, and stories… all in one place. And as a Chief, I can step back and literally watch healing happen in real time. That’s what this is about. That’s why we do it. Share this out to your veteran circle. Let’s make sure nobody does this alone. #Veterans #DD420 #VeteranSupport #CommunityHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #420Chief

Most people think THC is what “knocks you out” at night… but that’s not the full story. In this clip, we break down a common misunderstanding: why CBN can play a bigger role than THC for sleep, and why learning which terpenes work best for your body matters. If you’ve been guessing your way through strains, this is your reminder: cannabis is more than marketing—it’s chemistry, education, and personal fit. Comment below: have you tried CBN, and did it help your sleep? #CBN #THC #Terpenes #CannabisEducation #SleepSupport #PlantMedicine #420Chief

Ever feel like your ADHD brain pulls you into “60 things” before you even finish one? In this short clip, I share a real moment of feedback, how I went from scattered to present, focused, and finally able to let loose (even during something as simple as taking the dog out and throwing a Frisbee). If this hits home, drop a comment: what helps you stay on track when your mind is running a mile a minute? Subscribe for more veteran stories, real healing conversations, and plant-medicine education. #ADHD #VeteranWellness #MentalHealth #Focus #HealingJourney #420Chief

Confronting hard questions: Why the drinking? Is it just to cope with irritability? Cannabis helped unlock this self-awareness and the path to stopping. #Sobriety #SelfReflection #Mindfulness #MentalHealth

Struggling with anxiety, I discovered GMO, a strain with caryophyllene. It helped me connect with my mom for hours. My book, Strains for Pains, documents what works. #AnxietyRelief #CannabisCommunity #StrainsForPains #MentalWellness #Caryophyllene

The Zen pen provides crucial buffer space, allowing for better judgment and mindful reactions. Discover how a simple tool can transform your decision-making. #ZenPen #Mindfulness #SelfControl #BetterJudgment #InnerPeace

Discover how a simple salve with CBD isolate and magnesium can provide deep relief for trigger finger pain. Learn how this natural remedy helped overcome pain. #TriggerFinger #CBDMagic #MagnesiumBenefits #PainRelief #NaturalRemedies

One of my Navy brothers and his wife started Slap Happy Hemp Co., and after trying their salve, I was blown away. It worked so well it inspired us to create our own. I’ve been using it every day, especially on my hands, as a part of my daily routine. #arthritis

Alone with a pit bull and a bottle. Then, a forgotten number rings. A call to his current wife sparks a reunion and a new beginning, leading to remarriage in 2003. #Redemption #SecondChances #LifeChange #OvercomingAddiction #LoveStory

Six months of isolation and heavy drinking, fueled by work and DJing. A turning point in 2019 marked the beginning of slowing down and finding a healthier path. Resilience is remembering your inner strength. #Resilience #OvercomingAddiction #MentalHealthAwareness #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney

For many veterans, accepting 'help' is a barrier. Josue shares his journey, reframing it as accessing valuable resources and guidance that empowered his recovery. #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #Resilience #Guidance #RecoveryJourney

Real leadership means others don't bleed for the lesson. Learn how to move forward without repeating past mistakes. Your journey shapes your lessons. #LeadershipLessons #PersonalGrowth #Wisdom #MovingForward

Sharing this episode amplifies veteran voices and raises crucial awareness. Your share helps a veteran feel seen, offering hope to those struggling. #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #Community #Podcast

After the uniform, the mission continued. Chief Josue shares his profound healing, finding peace physically, mentally, and spiritually through plant medicine. You are not alone. #ChiefJosue #VeteranHealing #PlantMedicine #MentalWellness #Support

Doc Ray talks about how people with Parkinson's and traumatic brain injuries are finding real improvements. Compelling data gathered in real-time shows incredible moments of healing and progress. #NeuroScience #Parkinsons #TBI #BrainHealth #HealingJourney

Seriously, not sleeping for six years can be fatal. Deep REM sleep and dreaming aren't luxuries; they're non-negotiable for survival. Prioritize rest. #SleepDeprivation #HealthRisks #REM #BrainHealth #Critical