Johnny’s Story

“I want you to know you were right. You told me marijuana would hurt my brain. It’s ruined my mind and my life, and I’m sorry. I love you.” — Johnny Stack to his mother, 3 days before he died by suicide.

Johnny Stack was born on February 7, 2000 and died by suicide on November 20, 2019 at the age of 19. He was an incredibly intelligent, funny, charming, handsome young man, which you can see in his tribute video. We are a normal suburban family and did normal family things. He had a happy life, a 4.0 GPA with a scholarship to college, and a family who loved him very much. Unfortunately, we live in Colorado, which was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012, when Johnny was 12 years old. By the time Johnny was 14 years old… KEEP READING

Is your teen using marijuana?

Are you seeing changes in behavior, emotions, or psychological issues? Do not believe the false narrative out there that teen marijuana use is “natural, safe, and harmless.” Early teen use, combined with frequent, high-potency marijuana use is a recipe for mental illness in later adulthood. Developing minds and THC do not mix. There is NO safe level of THC in the developing adolescent mind! It does not help teen stress, anxiety, or depression. Don’t believe your teen when he or she says, “Everyone is using it.” According to national data, 7 out of 10 high school seniors do not use marijuana. GET HELP FOR YOUR TEEN HERE.

#StopDabbing – What is a Dab?

Dabs are marijuana extracts (shatter, wax, budder are some examples) made by pouring a solvent such as butane, ethanol, propane, or carbon dioxide over marijuana, which allows THC to leave the plant material and dissolve into the solvent. This concentrated THC solution is then filtered and placed in a tray. The result of the extraction is sticky oil that typically appears bronze in color. It’s not a plant and is highly potent, containing up to 99% THC. Dabs are typically heated on a hot surface and the vapors are inhaled through a dab rig or dab pen. KEEP READING

“To me, altruism means being selfless or giving to other people, even when there may be nothing to gain and something to lose. Altruistic people do things for the collective interest instead of their own.” — Johnny Stack

WHO ARE JOHNNY’S AMBASSADORS?

Johnny’s Ambassadors is on a mission to educate teens, parents, and communities about the dangers of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. We focus on youth marijuana awareness, prevention, and education. Primarily, we share data-driven facts and clear messaging with teens and parents to reduce the likelihood they will use marijuana and stop progression to more problematic use. Donations primarily go to create free educational resources on this site for you to use and share. Our goals are to keep youth from using marijuana and increase their perception of harm in using.

Who are the Ambassadors? An Ambassador is “a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity.” Johnny’s Ambassadors are the thousands of people and organizations who are helping us spread the message that youth marijuana use can lead to addiction, mental illness, and suicide. We focus on prevention, so other moms and dads will never need to feel the pain of losing a child to addiction and mental illness. Help us interrupt a child’s story! To be one of Johnny’s Ambassadors, join us!

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Why use the name Johnny? Johnny is the name of the Founder’s son. Personification is “a person, animal, or object regarded as representing or embodying a quality, concept, or thing; the representation of an abstract concept in human form.” The name Johnny, to us, represents ALL adolescents who suffer from the harms of marijuana. Johnny’s Ambassadors work to prevent ALL young people from following Johnny’s path to suicide and share his warning, “Marijuana ruined my mind and my life.” Prevention is the data we will never see.

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The Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana

The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana
Johnny Stack’s Life & Death Story
By Laura Stack
With Foreword by Kevin Sabet
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This is the poignant life-and-death story of Johnny Stack, whose young and vibrant life ended by suicide after his descent into addiction to high-potency marijuana and cannabis-induced psychosis. You’ll laugh and cry with his mother, Laura Stack, as she retells the story of Johnny’s joyful childhood and then takes you through the unthinkable tragedy of his loss. It’s every parent’s nightmare. But this book is much more than Johnny’s story. Today Laura, who is a nationally recognized speaker and best-selling author, leads a national effort of parents, impacted family members, healthcare professionals, teachers, and trusted adults who are concerned about the harmful effects of marijuana on our children, teenagers, and emerging adults. This book is a clarion call for parents across America to educate themselves about the risks of today’s high-THC marijuana products and to better understand the potentially devastating effects on youth mental health. Laura’s real-life story is backed by recent scientific-based research on how today’s potent THC products lead to mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, paranoia, psychosis, and sadly, suicidal ideation. This book is her vision to dramatically decrease adolescent marijuana usage, mental illness, and suicide, to allow our youth to live productive, happy live

ORDER LAURA’S BOOK

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