Veterans Healing Journey Becomes Soundtrack of Thrive Dispensaries
MariMed Debuts Original Song Inspired by a U.S. Army Veteran’s Experience, Supporting FreedomSingsUSA, and Strengthening its Commitment to Veteran-Focused Initiatives
NORWOOD, Mass., Dec. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MariMed Inc. (“MariMed”) (CSE: MRMD) (OTCQX: MRMD), a leading multi-state cannabis operator committed to improving lives every day, today announced an inspiring new initiative sparked by U.S. Army veteran and MariMed dispensary customer Ryan Taylor. After years of battling the physical and emotional wounds of combat, Taylor found meaningful relief through medical cannabis and ultimately discovered a renewed sense of peace at MariMed’s Thrive™ Dispensary in Anna, Illinois.
His transformative experience motivated him to put his singer-songwriter talents to work, crafting an original song, Thrive: Anna, that captures the welcoming, uplifting atmosphere he feels each time he walks into Thrive Dispensary. Starting this month, MariMed will feature the song in-store across all 13 of its Thrive Dispensary locations in Massachusetts, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, and Illinois.
Before each airing, customers will hear a recorded introduction from a Thrive Dispensary team member who is also a veteran. The message provides context about the song’s inspiration, recognizes the work of , a nonprofit that partners professional songwriters with veterans to help them share their stories through music, and encourages customers to support the organization. In addition, MariMed will make a donation to FreedomSingsUSA in Taylor’s honor.
“I served in the 82nd Airborne Division and deployed to Iraq in 2006. What was supposed to be a four-month mission turned into 16 grueling months of intense combat, devastating loss, and the illness that eventually led to part of my lung being removed,” said Ryan Taylor. “Coming home, I carried crippling trauma and was relying on so many prescription pills that I felt like a walking pharmacy. It wasn’t until a family member encouraged me to try medical cannabis that I finally found real relief. Cannabis helped me feel like myself again, and I’ve been pill-free ever since. Writing Thrive: Anna was my way of saying ‘thank you’ to my favorite dispensary and bring attention the great work of FreedomSingsUSA.”
“Ryan’s journey is a profound example of how cannabis can transform lives, especially for those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said veteran and Purple Heart recipient Donnie Spurlock, Store Manager at Thrive Dispensary in Anna. “What he wrote and produced is more than a song; it’s a celebration of healing, gratitude, and the sense of community that we try to cultivate at Thrive Dispensary every day. We’re honored to elevate his voice and to continue expanding programs that meaningfully support veterans.”
Thrive: Anna is now available for streaming on .
For a complete listing of Thrive Dispensary locations, please visit .
About MariMed
MariMed Inc. is a leading multi-state cannabis operator, known for developing and managing state-of-the-art cultivation, production, and retail facilities. Our award-winning portfolio of cannabis brands, including Betty's Eddies™, Bubby’s Baked™, Vibations™, InHouse™, and Nature’s Heritage™, sets us apart as an industry leader. These trusted brands, crafted with quality and innovation, are recognized and loved by consumers across the country. With a commitment to excellence, MariMed continues to drive growth and set new standards in the cannabis industry. For additional information, visit .
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