If you’re a regular visitor to Johnny’s Ambassadors blog, you no doubt know Johnny’s story, and the stimulus for my fight against marijuana use by young people. For those who may read this in other venues and don’t know me, I’m a concerned, grieving mother, who is active in the movement to discourage young people from using marijuana in any form until their brains are formed—and hopefully never.… Read the rest
Is Marijuana Truly Addictive? Let’s See What the Psychiatric Guide Says
By Laura Stack
The short answer is, “Of course it is,” though that’s way too glib.
We’ve already asked and answered this question in a previous blog; however, many people don’t understand how marijuana can be addictive. Sadly, according to recent surveys, the percentage of the population (both youth and adult) who consider marijuana harmful has decreased significantly in recent years.… Read the rest
You Know Nothing About Weed
Guest Post by Ben Cort
How do you convince someone that they really don’t know anything about something that they believe they know a great deal about? Seriously, if you wanted to explain to a bunch of strangers who don’t know you from the next guy that something they have held onto as fact just isn’t, how would you start?… Read the rest
The Dangers of Marijuana Edibles for Young People
By Laura Stack
Art continues to accurate imitate life. In a recent episode of a popular television series, the son of the main character—a high school student—is self-medicating after his father dies. He suffers repeated hallucinations, and at one point, a minor psychotic break.… Read the rest
The Increasing Prevalence of Marijuana Vaping
By Laura Stack
Vaping was supposed to be a good thing. We know better now.
Some clever person invented electronic cigarettes—little vaping pens that heated nicotine-infused liquid and released it as a vapor (technically an aerosol), rather than smoke. Initially, vaping was perceived as a safer way to ingest nicotine; indeed, it was going to help many people quit smoking cigarettes.… Read the rest
Marijuana and the Results of the 2019 YRBSS Survey
By Laura Stack
Every other year since 1991, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have conducted a study of youth behavior in six significant categories, with the intention of monitoring and managing negative behavior. One of the categories they monitor is Alcohol and Other Drug Use.… Read the rest
Marijuana Legalization: the SAM Report for 2020
By Laura Stack
According to the annual LESSONS LEARNED FROM STATE MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION report from marijuana industry watchdog Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), cannabis is on its way to becoming the next Big Tobacco. In Colorado where I live, recreational use of marijuana has been legal since 2012 and widely available in 2014, when Johnny was 14 years old and started experimenting.… Read the rest
High Potency Marijuana, Psychosis, and Suicide: Johnny Stack’s Story
Originally published in The Epoch Times on October 12, 2020
DENVER—It’s a grief that’s unimaginable. Deep, raw, and ever present. Laura and John Stack are still reeling over the loss of their son to suicide less than a year ago.… Read the rest
Is Marijuana Medicine?
By Laura Stack
Teens may have heard incorrectly that marijuana can help them get over negative things happening their lives. Some people claim cannabis is a miracle drug, with few negative effects; however, their claims are mostly wishful thinking and marketing tactics to get a new generation addicted to their products.… Read the rest
Top Ten Teen Toking Tip-Offs
By Laura Stack
Is your teenager using marijuana? In this era of easy access to weed, that’s an important question.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) just released the 2019 Annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the most comprehensive survey on drug use.… Read the rest