“This was truly the best presentation I’ve seen to date on the current state of marijuana. Those of us who work in prevention need to fully understand what you shared with us.”
– Carie Wimberly, Executive Director, Addiction Prevention Coalition
“Laura delivers a heart-felt message with plenty of data and science to illustrate the dangers of today’s marijuana and high-THC concentrates. She’s a masterful speaker with a keen ability to tell a story that captivates the attention of kids and adults alike. I left her presentation saying, “I didn’t know what I didn’t know! What an eye-opener!”
– Chris Ridge, Director of Comprehensive Health and Prevention, Ventura County Office of Education
Educate on the Harms of Youth THC Use to Keep it From Happening to Others
If you’re like most community coalitions we work with, you’ve seen a big increase in the use of THC products (vapes, dab pens, edibles, smokes) in your schools and communities over the past few years. Even in states where marijuana isn’t legal, students can buy intoxicating Delta-8 products made from hemp in gas stations and convenience stores.
As you know, lecturing and preaching doesn’t work, so we must educate them. No teen ever thinks THC will hurt them when they first hit the vape. Many celebrities celebrate weed, and the marijuana industry claims it is “medicine.” My son, Johnny, didn’t think THC would hurt him either. Johnny started using THC at a high school party when he was 14 years old, soon after marijuana was first legalized here in Colorado. He died by suicide five years later, after he became suspicious and paranoid and thought the mob was after him.
When my forever 19-year-old son, Johnny, was a young boy, he and I had a “secret” that we kept to ourselves. I told him God told me when he was born, he was going to do something really important in this world. We just didn’t know what that was yet, and we would discover his mission together. Every time Johnny went to summer camp to learn a new programming language, flew to Stanford to create a new operating system he called “Phoenix,” or volunteered in a new capacity, he would ask me, “Do you think this is it, mom?” We whispered about our “secret” repeatedly for many years, even days before he passed.
Six months after Johnny died, I founded Johnny’s Ambassadors Youth THC Prevention. God clearly told me, “Here is Johnny’s very important mission in this world, and you are going to help him achieve what you talked about.” Many prevention professionals got into this field because they have a similar story. Something similar happened in their lives that led them to this profession. We need to be with people of like experiences. We all use our trauma for good to keep others from going down the same path our loved ones did.
At the end of this session, you will be able to teach the teens in your life how do:
- Learn the various definitions of cannabis, marijuana, THC, CBD, Delta-9, Delta-8, etc.
- Understand why today’s THC products are so different than 80’s weed and how they are made
- Calculate potency and serving size of the various THC products
- Talk knowledgably about teen brain formation
- Learn how CB1 receptors in the brain interact with THC
- Discover the impacts of THC on the developing brain
- Understand how teen THC use can result in addiction, mental illness, psychosis, suicidality, and reduced IQ.
- Become re-inspired to use your own “prevention story” for good
These coalitions have offered to be a reference and will speak with you to provide more information on the program. Thank you for helping us save our youth from the harms of THC! We look forward to hopefully visiting your community soon.
“Eyes opened. Jaws dropped. Minds blown. Hearts hurting. Marijuana madness. Who knew how dangerous it has proven to be! I surely didn’t until I read your book on Johnny’s life and death then even more information presented during your seminar on “The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana” in FL. Your topics explained so much: The brain connections and damage, the types of THC products easily available, the mental health issues that can be permanent, and the sad reality of suicide risk. You truly opened our eyes and front-loaded our team and community to better understand the danger of this substance that seems to be gripping our youth. Thank you for taking your pain and purposely making Johnny’s life count by educating our youth and community.”
– Susan Foley, Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition
“Laura is one of the most effective speakers we have ever utilized. She speaks from the heart, coupled with knowledge and passion to connect with parents and students. This was our first in-person daytime event since the pandemic and to look at the faces in the audience, Laura has made an impact on so many students. Before the presentation, parents and even law enforcement were completely unaware of the dangers of high-potency THC and shocked at its effect on our youth.“
– Connie Bruno, Director, Program Development and Community Engagement
Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA), Inc.
“Thank you so much for coming to Muskogee and sharing your story. Our feedback from students and adults has been wonderful. This presentation has truly touched the hearts of our community. So many parents are coming up to me and telling me that their student came home talking about the “Marijuana Presentation.” That was the goal. We want them to talk about it and to really think about it before trying it or continuing to use it. Thank you for helping us to start the conversation! “– Candice Otto, NBN Drug-Free Communities Coordinator, Muskogee CAN (Community Anti-Drug Network) Coalition, OK
I brought Laura in virtually for my Drug Free Communities coalition to present on the up and coming marijuana issues our community will face with the new recreational marijuana law being passed. The majority of the audience was law enforcement and public health professionals and they were all very engaged during the training. They all responded and said that Laura was knowledgeable about the training topics and she was easy to follow. Getting an inside look at all of the different forms or marijuana was eye opening for the coalition members. Most of coalition members said they would love to have Laura in person to do another training, especially for our educators and I hope that this is something I can do for my coalition in the future. Laura’s presentations are valuable to anyone that wants to know about the dangers of marijuana!
– Jaylea Olson, Drug Free Communities Coordinator, Richland County Health Department
“Johnny’s Ambassadors presentation ‘The Dangerous Truth of Today’s Marijuana,’ led by Laura Stack, was an outstanding experience for one of our local high schools. Laura was warm, engaging, and easily connected with the students in a relatable way. The students found the presentation informative and could apply what they learned to their own lives. Many felt comfortable asking Laura for additional resources afterwards, which she readily provided. They left feeling more confident and empowered to make healthy choices. I would highly recommend this evidence-based and data-driven presentation to anyone looking to educate youth on the risks of marijuana use.”
– Jaleese Simpson, CPS , Assistant Director, Cheatham County Community Enhancement Coalition
“Laura has a unique ability to weave credible antidotal details with strong relevant data. The outcome is an impactful presentation that links your heart and brain. I strongly encourage anyone whose personal or professional life involves the topic of marijuana to hear the Johnny’s Ambassadors’ message.
– Bill Elger, WPRC Coordinator, Youth & Family Services, Rapid City, SD
“I wanted to share that we had a student recognize she was having issues from marijuana due to your talk, and she shared it with her mom and asked for counseling to help her stop. The mother called us and let her know that the Laura Stack program may have saved her daughter. That was an awesome call, and I wanted you to know.”
– Sharon Perkins, Stone County MO Coalition
“One of the best presentations I have ever heard in my 10+ years working in child welfare/prevention. I am STILL thinking about it and have shared with others. You are amazing.”
– Sarah Wiedenhoeft / AMP Statewide Coordinator, IA