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The Happy Pharms Story

Updated: Jul 17, 2023

I'm Joseph Remy, born in North Miami Beach, Florida. When I was just two years old, my family relocated to the quaint town of Bell, FL, where I spent my childhood. In 2004, I made the transition to PK Yonge Developmental Research School, where I successfully completed my high-school education and graduated in 2006.


I pursued a degree in Building Construction and Technology at Santa Fe College but quickly realized that college wasn't the right fit for me. In 2007, I made the decision to drop out and started working as an electrician apprentice. Later, I found a more lucrative job as a chip-runner in a poker room, but unfortunately, I was laid off in 2008 due to the recession. I went through a period of instability and lived a risky lifestyle until I received the devastating news that my father had cancer.


My relationship with my father was complex, and his passing had a profound impact on me. It was a wake-up call that made me realize I was drifting aimlessly and I couldn't face myself in the mirror without feeling overwhelmed. It was the first time I truly understood that if I didn't make a change, I would never become the person I aspired to be. However, there was a challenge: I lacked the necessary tools to undergo such a profound transformation, and I didn't even know where to begin.


Luckily, my friend Tommy had recently separated from the Air Force, and he provided me with all the necessary information to make my next decision. In 2009, I joined the Air Force as an Aerospace Ground Equipment technician. From October 19th, 2009, until May 28th, 2018, I had the privilege of being deployed three times and completing a year-long tour in Korea. Serving my country was a source of immense pride, affording me the opportunity to explore the world and meet some amazing people along the way. As a testament to my dedication, I was honored with two Achievement medals, a Commendation medal, and an early promotion to Senior Airman Below the Zone (BTZ). Among my proudest achievements is receiving the Diamond Sharp award from the First Sergeants Association, as it signifies the immense responsibility entrusted to the "First Shirts" in handling sensitive matters within a squadron and providing assistance to those who need it most.


In 2017, after completing my final deployment, my amazing wife, Stephanie and I decided it was time to slow things down. Multiple injuries had accumulated by that point, and I was more than ready to separate from the Air Force with an honorable discharge at my 8-year mark. However, my perspective took a complete turn when I crossed paths with Mr. Sacramento. He specialized in aiding injured Airmen with their disability claims through the VA, possessing expert knowledge of the Medical Evaluation System. As part of my out-processing from the military, I entrusted Mr. Sacramento with evaluating my stack of medical records. At that time, I held the distinguished rank of 7-Level, the highest attainable grade in Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology and I was a Staff Sergeant. Due to my involvement with nuclear equipment, I also had an extensive medical history. Our operations were governed by the personnel-reliability program (PRP), which mandated reporting even minor medications, such as Tylenol, to our doctor. Mr. Sac informed me that extending my contract by six months would enable me to undergo the Medical Evaluation Board. This could potentially lead to retirement based on my medical conditions rather than a regular, honorable discharge from the military.


After taking some time, I followed my instincts and decided to consult with doctors to investigate my condition. As a result, I extended my contract, and seven months later, I retired from the Air Force on medical grounds. Reflecting on it now, I realize that if I hadn't undergone the Medical Evaluation Board and retired, I might not have received the necessary medical treatment back then. Furthermore, I wouldn't have the support from the VA that I rely on today.


Fast forward to 2021, and I realized that cannabis held the potential to alleviate many of my ailments. To my delight, I also discovered that I could obtain a license to cultivate my own plants. After submitting my application, I anxiously waited for a couple of weeks. Finally, I received the news: the state of Florida had granted me the privilege to grow my own hemp.


Stephanie and I established Happy Pharms LLC upon realizing Florida's potential as a leading CBD producer in the United States. However, our plans faced a roadblock in the town of Bell. In July 2022, we were prepared to launch our CBD business full-time, but the town clerk rejected my occupation permit application, citing an outdated ordinance that erroneously grouped CBD, hemp, and marijuana together. Despite our efforts to educate the council on the 2018 farm bill, they remained unwilling to listen and insisted that I present my ideas at the next council meeting. To overcome this challenge, I gathered over 300 signatures for our petition and arrived at the town meeting with four skilled presenters and a prominent sign displaying the names of half the town's residents, all of whom supported our request to open our shop. That night, after the meeting, we were presented with our permit and it has been smooth-sailing ever since.

These days, I dedicate my time to my family and the development of Happy Pharms on my property. My mission is to provide top-notch CBD products to individuals who might otherwise not have access to them. We're thrilled to announce that our website has received visitors from over 27 states, as well as Thetford in the UK, Bangladesh, France, and Germany. Moreover, we've had the pleasure of serving customers in Florida, Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, Wisconsin, New York, and New Jersey.


Happy Pharms stands out among the numerous competitors in the industry due to our unwavering dedication to the plant and our customers. It is our profound passion that drives our sales growth, and we strive to reflect that in every aspect of our work


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2 Comments


Lisa McNett
Lisa McNett
Jul 16, 2023
•

Thank you for sharing your story. I felt a lot move through me as I read your words.

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Joseph Remy
Joseph Remy
Jul 16, 2023
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Replying to

You’re a big part of our story, thank you!

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