Xochitl Martinez: Weaving Into the Fabric of the Community
Written by Lesley Nickus
How a Two Spirit Veteran Found her Community
Amid the lively atmosphere of a community center, a group of veterans convenes. Among them is Xochitl Martinez, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Two-Spirit community. As the conversation unfolds, Xochitl recounts her journey—a story characterized by resilience, transformation, and the healing power of cannabis.
“I always like to say my name is spelled exactly the way it’s pronounced. Xochitl , from the language of central Mexico,” Xochitl begins. “I’m a veteran from Vietnam. I served during the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, my first deployment at 18 years old.”
Xochitl return from Vietnam was far from a hero’s welcome. “When I got out of the military, I didn’t want to identify as a veteran. We were treated very poorly when we came back,” she recalls. “It took me over 30 years to connect with the VA through the medical system.”
Eight years ago, Xochitl discovered Operation Evac, a veterans’ support group focused on compassionate cannabis use. “I saw a flyer for it and got a hold of Ryan,” she recounts. Despite initial fears, she found a community that embraced her. “I was terrified walking into a room with all these soldiers. But I became a part of the fabric of this group. I was welcomed, not just accepted.” Operation Evac became Compassionate Veterans in 2024.
Xochitl Martinez takes a selfie with Dre Hudson and Jordan Guzzardo during a This is Jane Project compassion event at GorillaRx Dispensary in Compton, Calif.
Cannabis has been a cornerstone in Xochitl’s life for over 45 years, serving both medicinal and recreational purposes. Her experiences range from cultivation to marketing. “I started using cannabis in the early seventies and began growing it in the late seventies. I was a guerrilla farmer in the hills, running from helicopters,” she says with a hint of nostalgia.
Xochitl’s military service was marked by intense and sometimes surreal experiences. “My very first day on board my ship, which was loaded with bombs, my crew members took me down to one of the holds where all the bombs were, and we smoked a joint,” she recalls. “During Vietnam, there was a lot of cannabis, a lot of heroin, LSD, even peyote. We used these substances to cope with the pressure and intensity of our work.”
Her journey to peace has been long and arduous. “It took 30 years to let go of that and to disassociate with it so that it wouldn’t eat me alive. Connecting with this community gave me my life back in many ways,” Xochitl says.
Joining the military was almost inevitable for Xochitl, given her family’s warrior heritage. “My family are warriors. I’m Apache and Yaqui, as well as Spanish Mexican. My ancestors were powerful people,” she explains. “I was groomed to join the military. My uncle, who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, would take me to his ships and let me run around. I signed up right before I turned 18.”
Reflecting on her time in the military, Xochitl notes the complex emotions involved. “I hated it. Handling weapons, bombs — the destructive power is horrible. But my service during the evacuation of Saigon was a rescue operation. I didn’t have to shoot anyone; I got to save people.”
This experience profoundly affected her. “I was at a nail salon on the anniversary of the Saigon evacuation, and a Vietnamese woman told me her family was rescued by the Navy. It was a powerful, emotional moment for both of us,” she says.
Xochitl’s passion for cannabis cultivation is deeply rooted in her cultural background. “I grew up around it. My family was Mexican and musicians, so cannabis was always around. It was normal,” she shares. Her cultivation practices are intertwined with her respect for the plant’s medicinal properties. “As a cultivator, I bring this plant full circle. I put my energy into it, talk to it, love the plants.”
Living on a mountain farm, Xochitl experienced a profound connection with nature. “It’s amazing. No light, sound, or air pollution. Just wildlife. I watched plants grow from seed, developed a relationship with each one,” she describes. “Today, we received some flower from Sonoma Hills, and it’s beautiful. You can tell it’s grown with care.”
Xochitl’s dedication to her community and her love for cannabis have come full circle. “I’m done with commercial cultivation. Now, it’s about serving others with cannabis,” she declares. “As a Two-Spirit person, I’m respected within my community. Going to these meetings is like going home, like a powwow.”
Her story is one of resilience, healing, and the enduring power of community. Through her journey, Xochitl Martinez has found peace and purpose, using her experiences to support and heal others. “I get to take my experience and turn it into wisdom, imparting it to my students and through our compassionate work with cannabis. It’s my passion, and I love it.”