In 2013, two veterans, Fabian Henry and Mike Southwell, identified the need for medical cannabis support to the local veteran community in Oromocto, New Brunswick. Looking back, it seems so long ago compared to where the medical cannabis industry is today but, also feels like yesterday with memories that Marijuana for Trauma has left behind. 
The word spread quickly, the clinic became a rapid success and a strong veteran community was instantly formed. The name “Marijuana for Trauma” overnight became more than a name. It became the label of brotherhood and support, a brand, a tattoo, a lifestyle and for some, a lifesaver. Many veterans whose lives were most heavily impacted by the positive support provided are still loyal to this brand today. The MFT logo is still found across Canada on social media, stickers on vehicles, shirts and hoodies.
Mike and Fabian wanted to have a Veteran oriented LP, so in 2016 they created Canada House Wellness Group which included MFT and the purchase of Abba Medix. Therefore, in addition to having national access and education for medical cannabis via clinics, Abba Medix would develop the best genetics and product portfolio for veterans. Strains like Veterans Kush and VetStar Day were developed by Dr. Darryl Hudson working with MFT clients and are on Abba Medix’s menu today.
In October 2018, Marijuana for Trauma rebranded to Canada House to be compliant with the new Cannabis Act and be consistent with Canada House Wellness Group. Naming was created by Fabian and Mike, which in turn helped amplify the clinic’s credentials. Canada House represents the home for Canadians who served in Afghanistan, which represents a large portion of our client base.
The myth behind our rebrand was that one of our founders sold the company; truth is, MFT expanded to become a group that includes Abba Medix, and MFT later rebranded to Canada House. Both founders remained significant shareholders after all the changes. Mike Southwell remains a Board Advisor. Fabian Henry was a paid consultant to Canada House Wellness Group until August 2020 but has chosen to focus his activity in the cannabis field elsewhere.
There are 16 employees, including key leaders, from the original MFT days that remain on CHC staff and have evolved with our team. All of us who remember how quickly we were able to expand and how the veteran community bond helped form our business into what it is today. We were fortunate to build many strong relationships with our original veteran clients who are still an important part of our operations today. MFT had 2,300 Veterans with cannabis prescriptions. Under the CHC brand, MFT has expanded to support over 3,300 Veterans. We are proud that 1,000 more Veterans joined our Veteran oriented clinic.
Today, we continue to regularly donate to Veteran-oriented non-profit organizations and provide our clients with the ultimate care possible. We take pride in the advanced cannabis education and treatment plans that we have to offer. Although we may no longer be able to have signs on our clinic doors that say “Marijuana for Trauma”, we still strive to offer the support that is truly needed in the veteran community. We are proud of our history and contributions to the Canadian cannabis industry.