The former Navy SEAL who took down Osama bin Laden has transitioned from a life of combat to one of calm.
Robert O’Neill, the esteemed former Navy SEAL who shot and killed the notorious al-Qaeda leader, is shifting gears by entering the cannabis industry. He is now the owner of a new cannabis company called Operator Canna Co., which will soon begin selling its marijuana products in New York City dispensaries, according to The NY 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,” O’Neill, 48, told The Post.
“It’s a good way to take the edge off. It helps to get rid of the noise,” O’Neill explained about the calming effects of marijuana.
The skilled marksman said he plans to direct a portion of the revenue from his company’s sales to support disabled veterans through a separate charitable organization.
O’Neill admitted that marijuana was the furthest thing from his mind when he was a Navy SEAL, noting that drugs, including marijuana, are strictly prohibited in the military.
“One of the general rules in the military is ‘zero tolerance,’” he said when referring to the military’s stance on drugs.
However, as a newly minted cannabis entrepreneur, O’Neill joked that marijuana could also help ease some of the toxic, divisive political conversations in the U.S.
“If we take cannabis, we can have better conversations. We have the potential for world peace right here,” he said.
A former member of SEAL Team 6, O’Neill gained international fame when he claimed responsibility for the shots that killed 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden during the 2011 covert raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
O’Neill counts himself fortunate to be alive, recalling his fear that bin Laden might have explosives on him that could kill the 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,” O’Neill said.
“We were able to fulfill the mission,” he said, expressing his gratitude.
“Operator” – the name of his cannabis company – is the same title as his tell-all book about his time as a Navy SEAL and his current podcast.
His military background is reflected in the company’s design. The website features the color of green fatigues, and the cursor is an image of a sniper’s bull’s-eye.
The names of his cannabis strains are “Healer-Indica,” “Warrior-Sativa,” and “Shooter-Hybrid.”
“Warrior is an energetic strain for when you need to be on high alert,” his company website explains.
“Healer provides a mellow high for when you need to relax from a long battle,” and “Shooter provides the perfect balance of precision focus and calm to ensure you always hit your mark.”
The pre-roll packs, containing five joints, are called “Front Toward Enemy” and “Fire Like This.”
O’Neill’s cannabis, grown on a farm upstate, will first be sold exclusively at The Flowery cannabis stores in Staten Island and Queens, as well as locations in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and SoHo.
People in high-intensity jobs that require total concentration need to unwind and find psychological relief, he noted.
He believes marijuana is a better option than alcohol or prescription drugs.
“Cannabis is a real way to deal with the stress of the past. It’s a good way for people to get rid of anxiety,” O’Neill said.
His website emphasizes, “Operator Canna Co. is on a mission to help veterans and others find healthier alternatives to harmful substances like alcohol and opiates.
“By offering premium, hand-crafted cannabis, we aim to provide a path to recovery and well-being, while empowering those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms.
“When you choose Operator products, you’re not just enjoying exceptional cannabis — you’re supporting veterans, law enforcement, and first responders who continue to protect and serve our communities. Together, we’re building a future that honors the sacrifices of our heroes, while crafting the finest cannabis for those who demand excellence. Join our mission and experience the difference.”
O’Neill said he personally benefits from smoking marijuana.
“I usually take it at night to help me go to sleep,” he explained.
He co-founded Operator Canna Co. with Ari Molovinsky, a 45-year-old businessman with extensive experience in sales and social media. They met a few years ago.
“We’re excited about the future. Cannabis is a product that brings people together,” Molovinsky said.
Currently, there are 307 licensed marijuana dispensaries operating in New York.
Recently, state regulators announced that New York has surpassed $1 billion in sales from the rapidly growing cannabis industry. Sales soared last year after a slow start due to lawsuits and delays in issuing licenses in 2022 and 2023.
The number of licensed marijuana shops is projected to double to over 625 by the end of 2025, according to the state’s Office of Cannabis Management.
{Matzav.com}