I have two sons who have been adversely affected by marijuana use. My older son started using MJ in college. He had his first hospitalization in 2011 at the age of 20 due to a MJ induced psychosis. Long story short this over the years resulted in a bipolar diagnosis, turning his and our lives upside down. He was enrolled in VA Tech in the engineering program. Now he is able to work but its a low paying landscaping job. At times he has tried to go off his meds from the bipolar which most often has led to another hospitalization. My younger son at the age of 14 starting using marijuana. We did not know he was using. He was involved in our church’s youth group band. At 18, he had his first hospitalization. He has a much worse diagnosis of schizophrenia. Between the two, I have lost count of the hospitalizations. Both live with my husband and I. I now have guardianship of my youngest. He is compliant with taking his meds but his life has been altered tremendously by drug use. He is unable to work and his quality of life is pitiful. My children exhibited no signs of mental illness until their use of MJ. It has ruined their lives and ours. Support has been scarce. People don’t understand and grow weary of the journey that we are on. Even though I hate it for everyone of you who knows what this is like, I am thankful to have found a place where people understand. This has been a very long 10 years.
Saving Our Youth from the Harms of THC