In the heart of Missouri, where the land meets the sky and every sunrise heralds a new beginning, there’s a story of resilience, love, and an unwavering faith that defines the Grady family—a story that could soften even the hardest of hearts.
John and Kara Grady, proud Navy veterans and lifetime members of the VFW, have faced more challenges than most could ever imagine. From serving their country in contingencies and war to battling the harsh realities of life and cancer, their journey has been marked by pain, sacrifice, and an unyielding determination to find hope where others might see none.
Their son, Charles, was just a boy when their world was shattered. On January 28, 2008, Charles was diagnosed with brain tumors—a devastating sentence no parent should ever have to hear. The initial tumors, lodged cruelly on his optic nerve, threatened his vision and his future. For 15 grueling months, Charles endured chemotherapy, and just when it seemed they had won a reprieve, the tumors returned with a vengeance, attacking his spine.
The years that followed were a relentless cycle of hope and despair. Tumors that wouldn’t disappear, but would sometimes stabilize. Chemotherapy that felt like a double-edged sword, bringing temporary relief but never a lasting cure. Through it all, the Gradys stood strong, refusing to give up, fighting not just for their son’s life but for his quality of life.
In August 2014, after an MRI showed swelling in Charles’ brain, doctors suggested inserting a shunt—an idea that terrified John and Kara, who had heard too many horror stories. Desperate for another solution, they flew to Denver to obtain cannabis oil, clinging to the hope that this would be the answer they were searching for.
What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. The swelling in Charles’ brain decreased, the tumors seemed to stabilize, and for the first time in years, there was hope. While the doctors remained skeptical, unable to definitively link the improvement to the cannabis, John and Kara knew in their hearts that they were on the right path.
Amid these immense challenges, John faced his own battle with pain—a struggle rooted in a devastating accident in 1997. The injuries from that incident were ones the government claimed to have fixed, but for years, John wrestled with lingering pain he was led to believe was all in his head—a ghost of injuries past. It wasn’t until three years ago that the truth surfaced: the damage was very real, and so was the pain. The surgery intended to mend everything had failed, leaving John to grapple with the consequences for decades.
Adding to his burden, in 2000, while on a Seabee job site, John suffered a head injury that resulted in mild cognitive issues. This injury also triggered a period of deep despair, leading to an unsuccessful suicide attempt in the weeks that followed. Over the years, these two injuries led John to be prescribed several different medications, some of which doctors now believe may have caused fatty tumors on his liver and severe issues with his pancreas.
In 2017, amidst their personal battles, John and Kara began to explore cannabinoid therapies for conditions beyond cancer. John, who had been prescribed opiates for years, was desperate to find an alternative—something that wouldn’t just mask the pain but would help him truly live again. Their research led them to cannabis, a controversial but promising treatment that offered a glimmer of hope not just for John, but for others as well.
This experience solidified their belief that cannabis, and more specifically, hemp-based cannabinoid therapies, held the potential to change lives. But the path was never easy. Their dream of entering the cannabis industry in Missouri was crushed by corporate giants and legislative roadblocks. Yet, they persisted, creating Mellocello, a hemp beverage for adult use, with a secret purpose: to help with nausea based on a clinical study. In 2023, they secured a USDA hemp production license on Charles’ birthday—a sign, they believed, that they were exactly where they were meant to be.
Their first season as hemp farmers was anything but smooth. They battled the elements, legislative challenges, and the heartbreak of seeing part of their crop destroyed. But through it all, they never lost sight of their mission: to provide relief to those who needed it most.
This mission led to the creation of A Thousand Ripples, a program born out of the Gradys’ deep compassion and unwavering belief that no one should have to suffer without hope of relief. Through this program, they provide cannabinoid therapies free of charge to veterans and active cancer patients, sitting down with each individual to understand their needs, pouring their hearts into every product they create.
Their journey isn’t just about making products—it’s about making a difference. It’s about the nights spent researching, the days spent fighting against a system that seemed designed to keep them down, and the countless moments of joy and sorrow that have defined their lives. It’s about the belief that their vocation is a divine one, that every obstacle they face is part of a greater plan—a plan to bring relief, hope, and healing to those who need it most.
Today, Slaphappy Hemp Company stands as a testament to their journey. Every product, from the Pax Centurion salve to the Dolor tincture, carries with it the weight of their experiences, the love they have for their son, and the hope that drives them forward. They might be small, but their hearts are huge, and their impact is immeasurable.
As you hold a Slaphappy Hemp product in your hands, know that it’s more than just a bottle or a tin. It’s a piece of their story, a reflection of their struggles, and a symbol of their unwavering commitment to making the world a better place—one ripple at a time.
The Gradys, like many other dedicated families in our community, embody the spirit and resilience that the Missouri Hemp Trade Association is committed to supporting. Their journey, from military service to pioneering in the hemp industry, reflects the values of hard work, innovation, and perseverance. With your support, we can continue to protect and uplift these families, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive in their mission of bringing the benefits of hemp to all Missourians. Together, we can champion the growth of a sustainable and prosperous hemp industry in our state.
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