News Summary
In Charleston, veteran Cody Callarman establishes Carolina Dream, a cannabis wellness company aimed at reshaping perceptions of cannabis. After overcoming personal struggles and facing the challenges of PTSD, he advocates for healthier alternatives to traditional medications. With a focus on holistic health, Carolina Dream offers innovative cannabis products while working to change the stigma surrounding their use, especially among veterans.
Charleston Veteran Turns Life Around with Carolina Dream Cannabis Company
In the charming city of Charleston, a remarkable story of transformation is unfolding. Veteran Cody Callarman, inspired to turn his personal struggles into a booming wellness enterprise, has founded a company that promises to reshape the way we look at cannabis. Dubbed Carolina Dream, this cannabis wellness company is paving the way for individuals seeking healthier alternatives for their physical and mental health.
The Struggle Behind the Success
Cody Callarman’s journey began after he graduated high school in 2008 and joined the U.S. Marines. During his service, he faced the heartbreaking loss of three friends in combat and another eight to suicide, which left a lasting mark on his mental state. This tragic reality led him down a dark path, relying heavily on alcohol as a coping mechanism. After receiving a DUI in 2017, Cody realized he needed to explore healthier alternatives to manage his PTSD and emotional turmoil. This moment became a turning point in his life and opened the door to a new chapter filled with hope and healing.
When Callarman relocated to California, a legal state for cannabis, a world of possibilities opened up for him. Fascinated by the plant’s potential benefits, Cody took the plunge and started to cultivate it himself. This new passion led him to invest an impressive $250,000 into cannabis farming after leaving his job as a government contractor for the Marines.
Carolina Dream is Born
Thus, Carolina Dream was born—a cannabis company with a mission to promote both physical and mental wellness. While the first year was a success, Callarman faced numerous challenges as the cannabis market became increasingly crowded. Farming, he admits, is one of the toughest jobs he’s ever encountered. After a two-year hiatus from growing, Callarman plans to return to the fields due to an upward trajectory in sales.
During his break, he didn’t sit idly by. Cody sourced his products exclusively from local farmers in North and South Carolina, ensuring the community benefited and thrived alongside his business. He also navigated personal struggles when his mother faced a life-altering health crisis. After a botched surgery left her paralyzed, she was prescribed a mix of pain medications. Seeing her suffer motivated him to supply her with cannabis from California, which remarkably allowed her to cut down her medication by 90% within just six weeks.
An Advocate for Change
Outside of his entrepreneurial endeavors, Cody has become a passionate advocate for fellow veterans within the South Carolina legislature. He has been instrumental in drafting a bill tailored to the regulation of hemp-derived cannabis products.
Cody’s ambition goes beyond personal gain; he aims to bust the long-standing stigma surrounding cannabis in the South, battling decades of misinformation. With staggering statistics from the CDC indicating alcohol contributes to about 178,000 deaths each year, in stark contrast to the DEA declaring no recorded deaths from cannabis, it’s essential to rethink our perceptions of these substances.
Highlighting Health and Wellness
According to South Carolina law, cannabis products can contain no more than 0.3% delta nine THC, keeping it compliant and accessible to those seeking wellness alternatives. Most of the products from Carolina Dream are marketed to health and wellness stores, with a focus on micro-dosing for holistic benefits. Prices for their gummy bags range from $17 to $37, with convenient subscription options for enthusiasts wanting regular deliveries. Moreover, the company has developed a lotion known for its potency in alleviating eczema.
In light of the ongoing stigma, Carolina Dream is in the process of rebranding, aiming to create mainstream packaging that feels welcoming and accessible to all customers, helping to further break down barriers in cannabis usage.
Looking Toward the Future
Currently, around 30% of Carolina Dream’s customer base is concentrated in Charleston, with the majority located across the East Coast. The company ships to an impressive 48 states (excluding South Dakota and Idaho) and primarily operates online, steering clear of a physical storefront to focus on regional market penetration instead.
As Cody Callarman continues on this transformative journey, his commitment to helping others discover the therapeutic benefits of cannabis remains at the forefront of his mission. With Carolina Dream, the potential for wellness through cannabis is not only dreamt of but actively being realized, one product at a time.
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