Johnny’s Ambassadors: How One Mother’s Loss Started a Youth Marijuana Awareness Movement, With Laura Stack

ABOUT THE EPISODE:If you currently have a teen or young adult, you likely grew up in an era of marijuana liberalization and legalization. At that time, many of us learned that marijuana was not nearly as dangerous as we were led to believe by films like Reefer Madness and claims that showed our "brain on drugs.”But those studies were based on the potency of leaf material available before marijuana became a legal, multi-billion dollar industry – and the industry has radically changed.New, high-potency forms of marijuana (like shatter, wax, edibles and vape oils) are delivering regular doses of THC that are hundreds of times more powerful than the original recommendations for medical treatment. To make matters worse, they're increasingly available to middle and high school kids.My guest today is Laura Stack, founder of Johnny’s Ambassadors and a mother who lives in Colorado – ground zero for the nation’s marijuana legalization. Laura watched her son go from a straight-A student with no mental illness to marijuana-induced psychosis after obtaining his medical marijuana card. He eventually, tragically, took his own life. Laura now travels the country speaking frankly with high school students about what the frightening new science says about young people and high-potency THC extracts.In this interview, we discuss:Why parents are sometimes less concerned when their children try marijuana Why old studies showing the medicinal benefits of marijuana are often irrelevant in the world of concentratesNew science surrounding the use of concentrates and their connection to marijuana-induced psychosisHow parents can help spread the word through Johnny's AmbassadorsEPISODE RESOURCES:Johnny’s Ambassadors Parents of Children with Cannabis-Induced Psychosis (POCCIP) support group Video library of THC research and presentationsPartnership to End Addiction Marijuana Talk Kit - how to talk to your child about marijuanaThe Link Between Youth Marijuana Use and Suicidality - researchFrequently Asked Questions about today’s marijuanaThis podcast is part of a nonprofit called Hopestream CommunityLearn about The Stream, our private online community for momsFind us on Instagram hereWatch the podcast on YouTube hereDownload a free e-book, Worried Sick: A Compassionate Guide For Parents When Your Teen or Young Adult Child Misuses Drugs and AlcoholHopestream Community is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an Amazon Associate. We may make a small commission if you purchase from our links.