William Henry is an esteemed and devoted advocate and researcher whose background encompasses a wide spectrum of roles and focuses. His impact reverberates across broad social and political spheres.

He served honorably for nearly a decade in the U.S. Army and the Indiana Army National Guard from 2005 to 2015.As a Soldier, Henry played a pivotal role within the Indiana National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs Office, exhibiting his dedication to service during stateside crises like floods, winter storms, and natural disasters.

Notably, Henry’s service extended beyond domestic borders, encompassing two significant deployments – to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010 and to Kuwait from 2012 to 2013.His exceptional contributions were highlighted by his meritorious journalism efforts during combat operations in Afghanistan, which earned him the prestigious Bronze Star Medal in 2010.

Henry’s role as a photojournalist within Indiana Army National Guard units, including the 38th Infantry Division Headquarters and the 38th Sustainment Brigade, led to his work being showcased in global military and civilian publications.

Henry’s trajectory continued to evolve upon his return from overseas, as he assumed the role of Communications Director for The American Legion, Department of Indiana in 2014. In this capacity, he orchestrated a transformative overhaul of the communication program within the Indiana Legion Department Headquarters, effectively streamlining and revitalizing its operations to cater to its expansive 75,000-member organization.

Advancing further within the organization, Henry ascended to the position of Department Adjutant, the state chief administrative officer, in 2017, embodying leadership and administrative prowess. During his tenure with The American Legion, Henry orchestrated the groundbreaking reformation of the Big Four service organizations, a collective alliance encompassing The American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, and DAV.

This coalition successfully championed legislative priorities and initiatives, attaining significant victories within the Indiana General Assembly. This includes medical related priorities like hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cannabis reform. During that time, and even now, veterans have been forced to face opioid and benzodiazepine addiction because of VA overprescribing. This was increasing veteran deaths and suicides and remains a huge reason veterans die in states where cannabis is still illegal.

Henry’s indomitable spirit extended to his interactions with the Indiana Governor’s Office, legislators, and state administrative personnel, where he helped skillfully shape and influence legislation to support military veterans and their families. He exhibited similar fervor on the national stage, advocating for federal change and progress on Capitol Hill, engaging with U.S. senators, representatives, and their staff from Indiana to better serve veterans and their families, and allow for more medical freedom.   

Notably, Henry demonstrated his commitment to ethical conduct and accountability by exposing misconduct within the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. His actions, undertaken as Indiana Department Adjutant, led to the uncovering of multiple violations spanning federal, state, local, and ethical domains, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of public awareness and responsible governance.

An advocate of community service and positive activism, Henry’s involvement in numerous rallies and speaking engagements regarding veterans and cannabis events showcases his dedication to bettering society through meaningful engagement. He was elected and served as The American Legion Nysewander-Bayliff Post 329 commander 2018-2019 in Plainfield, Ind. He assumed a role as a Board of Director member of the Indiana Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws in 2018, before being elected chairman of INORML in 2019 where he served until 2021. He remains a member and is in close coordination with those organizations.

Henry’s foray into politics in 2020 marked a significant milestone, as he secured the Indiana Libertarian nomination for lieutenant governor candidacy, sharing the ticket with gubernatorial candidate Donald Rainwater.  Their campaign, characterized by its historical success, garnered 11.4% of the total votes, injecting a distinctive Libertarian perspective into the political discourse and focusing on freedom and medical liberty.

Henry successfully debated the other two lieutenant governor candidates and brought great perspective to that front, focusing on medical freedom and cannabis nutrition and reform during speaking events, forums, and state-level debates. He was a big part of the success of that statewide campaign garnering support from both the veteran and cannabis advocacy communities.

Post-election, Henry’s professional journey led him to a contracted role with a prominent central laboratory in Indiana, where he facilitated the intricate logistics of processing biological specimens for emergency vaccine and major drug trials. His immersion in this pivotal role acquainted him with FDA drug approval processes, igniting his passion for driving medical freedom changes and innovations.

This steadfast dedication led to his nomination and subsequent candidacy for Congress in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District, both, in 2022 and 2024, seizing the opportunity to shed light on federal financial stability, veterans care, and full medical liberty, with an emphasis on federal cannabis legalization.

Henry’s pursuit of progress was further demonstrated in his participation in district-wide forums during both campaign years and debates, wherein he artfully advocated for his views on federal solutions, underscoring his commitment to constructive dialogue and actionable change. His republican opponent refused to debate two cycles in a row. Henry’s multifaceted journey stands as a testament to his dedication to liberty, advocacy, and positive transformation within the Hoosier state and beyond.

Henry formally founded the Food First Initiative March 2024. At its core, the Food First Initiative seeks to study raw hemp plant material to assess baseline nutrition.  The Food First Initiative is dedicated to studying whole hemp biomass and seeds to determine and recognize its nutritional value and safety for human consumption.

The primary focus is federally legal hemp, a natural treasure that has long been denied to Americans despite its remarkable nutritional and practical potential. For decades, misinformation campaigns have perpetuated a system that restricts access to valuable nutritional resources like cannabis.

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 marked a significant turning point by introducing a federal hemp program and reducing regulations surrounding cannabis. This legislative breakthrough effectively paved the way for research, growth, and a more enlightened perspective on the nutritional value of raw hemp.

The initiative has forged partnerships with renowned individuals, organizations, universities, and government agencies to conduct in-depth research on the nutritional attributes of federally regulated raw hemp.  The research findings, which will be made public, are anticipated to shed light on the rich essential minerals, nutrients, vitamins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and essential fatty acids present in mature hemp. These components, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, have been shown to have a positive impact on health when consumed in their raw form.

Moreover, this initiative aims to educate the public about the Human Endocannabinoid System, a crucial physiological system that regulates various bodily functions, even down to the cellular and central nervous system levels.  By amassing critical data on cannabis’s nutritional attributes, the Food First Initiative seeks to establish cannabis as a “Food First” within government agencies, paving the way for a comprehensive reevaluation and dismantling of federal regulations and interference related to cannabis.

TBA