Robert O’Neill, the highly decorated former Navy SEAL credited with taking down Osama bin Laden, is making a bold career shift into the cannabis industry. O’Neill has founded Operator Canna Co., a state-licensed marijuana brand, with plans to sell his products in New York City dispensaries. A portion of the company’s proceeds will go toward supporting disabled veterans through charitable initiatives, according to the New York Post.
“I wanted to get into the cannabis business through my experience in the military and watching vets suffer from things like post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a good way to take the edge off. It helps to get rid of the noise,” O’Neill told the Post.
Operator Canna Co. is deeply inspired by O’Neill’s military background. The company’s branding features a green color scheme reminiscent of military fatigues, and its website incorporates a cursor designed to resemble a sniper’s bullseye. The cannabis strains are also named with a military theme, including ‘Healer-Indica,’ ‘Warrior-Sativa,’ and ‘Shooter-Hybrid.’
The cannabis products, cultivated at an upstate New York farm, will be initially available exclusively at The Flowery cannabis stores located in Staten Island, Queens, the Upper West Side, and SoHo in Manhattan. O’Neill believes that cannabis offers much-needed relief for individuals in high-stress professions, providing a safer alternative to alcohol and prescription medications.
As a former Navy SEAL, O’Neill acknowledged that marijuana was never on his radar during his military service due to the armed forces’ strict ban on drugs. However, he now sees cannabis as a tool for fostering relaxation and reducing stress. He even suggested that marijuana could help ease political tensions in the country, humorously stating, “If we take cannabis, we can have better conversations. We have the potential for world peace right here.”
Operator Canna Co. states on its website that its mission is to help veterans and others find healthier alternatives to harmful substances such as alcohol and opioids. By offering premium, hand-crafted cannabis, the company aims to provide a path to recovery and well-being while empowering those who have served and sacrificed for their country.
O’Neill, a former member of SEAL Team 6, gained international recognition after publicly claiming to have fired the fatal shot that killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, during a covert operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011. Reflecting on the mission, he admitted that he initially believed it would be his last day on Earth, fearing that bin Laden was wearing explosives that would detonate and kill the entire Navy SEAL team.
“I thought that would be my last day on Earth: We’re going to kill him, and he’s going to kill us. We were able to fulfill the mission,” he said.
With his new venture, O’Neill hopes to channel his experience and leadership into a business that not only thrives in the growing cannabis market but also serves a greater cause—supporting fellow veterans and promoting mental health awareness through the benefits of marijuana.
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