My name is Jennifer Kelchner, and my 27-year-old son is, hopefully, healing from cannabis-induced psychosis.
Danny was once a blessing. He had a loving home — a mom, a dad, two sets of doting grandparents. At four years old, he could locate every country on a map. He loved books, sports, biking to Valley Forge Park with his dad. He was in AP and honor classes and was a varsity football captain. He was witty, kind, and had big dreams.
At 14, he tried THC for the first time . Over time, he used more. Still, he kept it together and attended college. But then tragedy struck — Danny’s dad, my husband, died suddenly. He was devastated and couldn’t sleep, was anxious, and trusted adults — including a doctor — told him to get a medical marijuana card. Wanting to better himself, Danny listened. This decision would change the course of all our lives forever.
Soon after, he had his first psychotic break. He came home paranoid, filthy, convinced the Taliban was after him. He hadn’t slept in a week and was manic. He believed a helicopter would land in our yard to fund a business that didn’t exist. We had to call 911 to get help.
Since then, Danny has been in and out of hospitals 13 times. In and out of therapy, jail, and homeless — heavily medicated, and is now diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. There’s no family history of either.
He’s now on Medicaid, food stamps, disability. He’s needed police, courts, psychiatrists, inpatient and outpatient care, and now $10,000 in dental work — all paid by the state and me. His two brothers and I are in therapy just to cope with this new version of him. How much more will it cost all of us? How many more Dannys are there?
Danny has been sober for almost 2 years, but the damage is done. My once athletic 185-pound son now weighs over 300 pounds, lives with me, and requires daily reminders to do basic tasks like shower and brush his teeth.
Cannabis-Induced Psychosis is real. It happened to my child.
Educate yourself on the harms of THC at johnnysambassadors.org.
If you’re concerned about your child’s THC use, visit /JohnnysAmbassadors.org/parents and join our private Parents of Children with Cannabis-Induced Psychosis (POCCIP) group at www.facebook.com/groups/POCCIP.