N AV Y S E A L GROW EXPERT TURNED
BY THOMAS MARSHALL
Home cultivation of recreational and alternate therapy plants is not as easy as adding it to your garden or sunroom. Whether a beginning or skilled horticulturist, the Grow Depot has all the products you’ll need. Lights, nutrients, tents, soil and custom set ups. Their philosophy is “From Seed to Success.” The home cultivator often needs a lot of consultation too. That’s where former Navy SEAL, Adam Dobbins, a growing expert, and his wife, Cheryl come in. We’ve learned a lot on this journey to produce the right product for a client’s needs,” explains Dobbins. “We transfer to our customers the knowledge and experience my employees and I have with all the products we carry. That’s what we’re trying to do right now; educate our clientele. As an added service, we will come to your place and look at your conditions and help you in every stage of your grow process.” Dobbins recounted his early life, mentioning his brief college experience before joining the Navy. During his time as a Navy SEAL, he faced a parachute accident that resulted in a broken back, setting him on a challenging road to recovery. With various ailments from the accident and a recent ACL reconstruction, his story reflects the physical and mental trials that veterans often endure. “I got out of the military on a medical discharge. I have ailments now that I was first treating with a lot of alcohol and cannabis improperly,” said Dobbins. “I don’t drink anymore. I’ve learned a lot with the usage and am now able to transfer my knowledge over directly to my employees and customers. We are trying to do pain management the right way.” After his medical discharge, he embraced the world of education and entrepreneurship. Dobbins attended Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College to earn an AA degree in business, and a BA in political science and spanish. “After I graduated in 200 , I was working in and out jobs that my body would allow me because of my accident and all my ailments,” said Dobbins. A pivotal moment in Dobbins’ journey came when a close friend and Navy buddy contracted Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS. He vividly described how witnessing his friend’s battle with the debilitating illness and its effect on his mental and physical well-being deeply affected him. His friend found relief and comfort in alternative therapy, which had a positive impact on his overall quality of life. “He asked me to get him some cannabis.” said Dobbins. “I saw how it helped. I mean, he was on Valium, and all this other pharmaceutical stuff. He was dying. But when he was doing cannabis, he was like himself, minus the ailments. Unfortunately, he passed away while I was on deployment.” Motivated by the need for alternative therapies and fueled by the changing legal landscape, Dobbins knew it was time to venture into the home cultivation industry. His initial plan was to create a one-stop shop for home cultivation, catering to the needs of a wide range of customers while navigating a very complex regulatory environment.
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