Saving Our Youth from the Harms of THC
Hi, I’m here to speak to you, parent to parent, about our family’s story with THC.
When my son developed severe cannabis use disorder at 18 and cannabis-induced psychosis at 21, we were absolutely blindsided. We didn’t have the science, education, or resources that exist today and had no idea how addictive THC is.… Read the rest
Researchers into the effects of cannabis use have long assumed, based partly on apocryphal evidence and the “stoner” stereotype, that heavy users often suffer from decreased academic success. However, the association between cannabis use and academic achievement had not been systematically or rigorously tested; nor had the magnitude of any such association been fully determined.That… Read the rest
In 2018 I celebrated the graduation of my first-born son, who was an Eagle Scout and honors student. Little did I know, he had begun using marijuana to deal with his social anxiety as he entered college.
When he came home for Thanksgiving break his sophomore year, I noticed changes in his behavior.… Read the rest
I knew weed wasn’t good for the brain. I was never interested in it, nor wanted any of my children to use it. But until three months ago, I had no idea how truly horrible this drug was.
My 18-year-old son used to be social, funny, outgoing, and a fabulous athlete, until a friend at school gave him a THC vape.… Read the rest
“Your son has Cannabis-Induced Psychosis,” said my son’s psychologist. That was in 2021, just two weeks before his 18th birthday, during his senior year in high school.
His initial symptoms were delusions of grandeur. He was going to change to world with his music because of the special vibrations in his hands, which he covered with a glove.… Read the rest
While we know cannabis use affects mental health in some ways, we still don’t understand all its impacts. Researchers have solidly established that heavy use can trigger psychosis and schizophrenia in those susceptible to it, but haven’t fully determined the association between cannabis use and subsequent depression and suicidality.… Read the rest
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plant. Cannabis has hundreds of species or strains. Some cannabis plants are classified as marijuana, which are drug varieties. Some cannabis plants are classified as hemp, which are not drug varieties.
How do you know if it’s marijuana or hemp?… Read the rest
With marijuana and its derivatives, potency refers exclusively to the THC content. At this point, few people really care about any other chemicals present in cannabis, with the limited exception of the much-touted CBD.
THC potency matters a great deal to everyone involved in the cannabis debate, whether pro- or anti-.… Read the rest
The Bradford Hill Analysis of Causation Applied to Cannabis Use and the Development of Chronic Psychotic Disorders as appeared in the Appendix of the book, The Impact of THC on Our Children: A Parent’s Worst Nightmare.
Written by Christine L.… Read the rest
I am writing to share my daughter’s experience with vaping high-potency THC. My daughter started her freshman year and turned 14 in September 2022. She did well in school, but struggled to fit in socially. She had been diagnosed at a young age with ADHD, anxiety, and autism.… Read the rest