Supporting Veterans Through Cannabis

Support Veterans Through Cannabis Thumbnail

Our Story

"We chose to give back to veterans from day one. It just seemed like the right thing to do, and veterans as a whole are not served appropriately for the sacrifices they have made." - Lukas Gilkey, CEO & Co-founder of Hometown Hero

In 2015, two friends, Lukas Gilkey (a U.S. Coast Guard veteran) and Lewis Hamer, launched a business selling handcrafted products to shops in Austin, Texas. Their mission? To help veterans in need with donations made from every purchase.

Since then, Hometown Hero jumped into the hemp industry, becoming a full-fledged cannabusiness. We've landed in both High Times and the New York Times, made it to the Inc. 5000 and launched the first THC product to be legal in all 50 states.

And when prohibition rears its ugly head, you can surely bet that we don't back down. We've led the fight against Delta-8 bans, and we've won multiple times. Because we believe cannabis should be accessible to veterans and all who seek its relief.

Though a bit has changed since those two friends started a business out of a home in North Austin, some things remain the same. Both Lukas and Lewis are still here as CEO and Vice President, and we're still committed to supporting our veterans, our hometown heroes.

The Hometown Hero Difference

"The best Delta-8 gummy, tincture, and flower, according to my prior tests and rankings, all belong to Hometown Hero. Superior taste, superior potency, and superior lab results. These are the core pillars of this brand." - Dan LaMorte, Writer at CBD Oracle

"Relief never tasted so damn good." - John W., Customer (Texas)

We aim to ensure that the name "Hometown Hero" is seen as a mark of quality, craftsmanship, and care.

And here's how we go about doing that:

  • Small-Batch Production

    Small Batch Production

    We may produce a lot of gummies, flower, tinctures and more, but we always make them in small batches. This guarantees a greater attention to detail for flavor and consistency.

  • DEA Certified Lab Testing

    Tested Six Times From Seed To Sale

    A double-check is good. A triple-check is better. But six times? That’s how we help ensure safety, legal compliance, and of course, cannabinoid content. In other words, we’re obsessed with quality assurance.

  • Talk to an Expert

    World-Class Customer Support

    We have an in-house customer support team you can call for assistance regarding products, shipping, questions about hemp, or if you want to drop in and say "hi." We'll be here for you.

  • Worry Free Guarantee

    Worry-Free Guarantee

    You shouldn't have to pay for something you didn't enjoy. If you're unhappy or unsatisfied while trying a product, you can send it back to us, and we'll give you credit to try something else.

    See full terms and conditions.

Donations

"We are just blessed to be able to call Hometown Hero our friends and sponsors. And with their donation, like many others, it enables us to help more and more families." - Dan Wallrath, founder of Operation Finally Home

Soldiers' Angels Veteran Donation Check

Many veterans are left either underserved or abandoned while facing PTSD, homelessness, physical disability, and other issues. But luckily, there are amazing organizations out there providing our heroes with the help they need and deserve. From building homes to benefits advocacy, the work they do changes and even saves lives.

A portion of proceeds from every product we offer gets donated to such organizations. Every gummy, cereal treat, tincture, or other products purchased help make a difference.

Over the years, we've donated to several nonprofits that help veterans in need, including:

Texas VFW
Operation Finally Home
DAV
Soldiers' Angels

Hometown Hero By The Numbers

  • VFW Donation Check

    $100K+

    Donated To Nonprofits In 2021

  • Delta-8 Zero G Flower

    8,425+

    Stores Selling Products Nationwide

  • Delta-9 THC Assortment

    193K+

    Shipments Delivered

  • Delta-8 THC Max Watermelon

    3,345+

    Five Star Reviews

As Featured In

High Times
The New York Times
Yahoo Finance
Inside Hook
Newsweek

Timeline

2015
June

Lukas Gilkey and Lewis Hamer launch Hometown Hero. Working out of Lukas' home in North Austin, the two donate a portion of proceeds from every product sold to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

Hometown Hero Founders
2016
June

$8,500 donated to veterans charities during first year in business.

 
2018
December

The 2018 Farm Bill is passed, legalizing hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids on a federal level.

2018 Farm Bill
2019
June

Texas Legislature passes H.B. No. 1325, legalizing hemp in the Lone Star State.

 
August

Entered the hemp industry with our Sour Space Express CBD Flower.

Sour Space Express Flower
2020
April

Won second place for our Zero G CBD flower and third place for our CBD Blunts at the 2020 High Times Hemp Cup.

Zero G CBD Flower Medals
September

Delta-8 Blueberry Gummies, our first Delta-8 product, is launched.

Delta-8 Blueberry Gummies
November

$12,500 donation to the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and $12,500 donation to the DAV.

VFW Donation
December

We start Delta-8 Day (12/8 or "D8") and, of course, celebrate it.

Delta-8 Day
2021
February

Featured in New York Times "What Is Delta-8-THC: the Hemp Derivative That's a Hot Seller," prompts the sale of 401,720 Delta-8 gummies.

 
March

$10,000 donation to Soldiers' Angels.

Soldiers' Angels Donation
May

Our Blueberry Delta-8 Gummies and Berry Tincture take home silver medals at the High Times Hemp Cup.

Blueberry Delta-8 Gummies and Berry Tincture Medals
June

We led a coalition and succeeded in stopping HB 3948 and an amendment to HB 2593, which would have outlawed Delta-8 in Texas.

 
July

Select Spectrum Mango Gummies, the first-ever hemp-derived Delta-9 THC product and the first THC product legal in all 50 states, is launched.

Select Spectrum Gummies
September

$25,000 donation to Operation Finally Home.

Operation Finally Home Donation
October

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) declares Delta-8 illegal in Texas without warning, sending small businesses and the hemp industry into disarray.

 
November

We spearheaded a lawsuit against the state of Texas, and got a temporary injunction granted to allow for the sale of Delta-8 to continue in Texas.

Texas Delta-8 Injunction
November

Sativa and Indica Live Rosin Gummies are launched, the first hemp-derived Delta-9 edibles made with live rosin concentrate.

 
December

$55,000 donation towards the Texas VFW and $10,000 donation for VFW Post 10427.

VFW Donation
2022
February

$15,000 sponsorship of a Sacred Warrior Community trip for female veterans and partners of veterans in Buchanan Dam, Texas.

 

Accreditations & Memberships

Texas Hemp Federation
Hemp Industries Association