Providing Science-Based School Assemblies to Educate Students About the Impacts of Youth Cannabis (THC) Use
We teach middle and high school students what the active ingredient in marijuana (THC) does to their developing brains using a non-scary, non-judgmental approach. Our evidence-based, data-driven talk gives students the knowledge and skills they need to avoid using THC products (vapes, dabs, edibles, marijuana). Our youth substance use prevention presentations use current research as the foundation of all information presented.
Title: The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death Story
Description
Laura Stack’s son, Johnny, was a computer whiz with a perfect math score on the SAT and a 4.0 GPA. He started vaping THC at a party at 14 years old and died by suicide five years later after becoming delusional from dabbing. Soon afterward, Laura started a nonprofit organization, Johnny’s Ambassadors, to educate parents and teens about the dangers of youth THC misuse. Three days before his death, Johnny issued his own warning about his THC usage, “Marijuana ruined my mind and my life.” By weaving Johnny’s tragic tale throughout this science-based presentation, Laura educates teens on how THC can disrupt brain development. Laura’s presentation reviews the newest research on the potential harms of vaping, dabbing, and edibles in a teen-friendly way. They stay engaged and focused for the entire hour! Laura gives 200+ assemblies each year all over the U.S., up to three in one day.
Objectives
- Meet Johnny Stack – Who Was He?
- Define the Terminology: Cannabis, Marijuana, Hemp, Delta-9, Delta-8, THC, CBD
- Understand THC Potency – “Then” vs. “Now” Marijuana
- Learn how THC is Extracted and how Concentrates are Made in a Lab
- Calculate Dosage to Understand How Much THC is Going Into the Body
- Learn how THC Gives Users the High Feeling by Mimicking Natural Endocannabinoids
- Understand how THC Impacts Adolescent Brain Formation and Function by Binding to CB1 Receptors
- Review the Dirty Dozen Impacts of THC Use on the Teen Brain
- Learn What the FDA Has Approved as “Medicine” for Cannabis-Derived Products
- Uncover the Research Between Teen THC Use and Mental Illness, Psychosis, and Suicidal Thinking
- Understand What Happens When People Dependent on THC Try to Stop
- Practice What do To and Say When Offered THC at a Party
- Consider the Science When Making Decisions for Yourself in the Future
NOTE FROM LAURA ABOUT SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES: I speak to middle school and high school students about 50/50, in your auditorium or gym, with the entire school or one class as desired. They are essentially the same talk, with the middle school science taken down a notch. I use a science-based, research-based approach that is non-judgmental and non-preachy. I teach students why using marijuana products is bad for their brains and encourage them to consider the science when making decisions for themselves in the future. We discuss why today’s THC products are different; how concentrates, vapes, and edibles are made through extraction; how potency is calculated and what it means for dosage; how the adolescent brain forms; how THC makes people high; how THC mimics our natural endocannabinoids; what the Endocannabinoid System is and why it matters; where CB1 and CB2 receptors are located in the body; what happens when THC gets into the developing mind; the possible negative outcomes that can happen to teens who use; the research tying marijuana use to increased mental illness, psychosis, and suicidality; what they will experience if using and attempt to stop; what to do and say when offered marijuana at a party and they don’t want to use; what the FDA has approved as medicine and what is not; what to do if a friend is using and they see warning signs; and how to get help for themselves if needed. Throughout it all, I weave in Johnny’s story to anchor the science point and keep them engaged with the challenges he experienced. The talk is NOT a suicide prevention talk and is not upsetting. I am very trauma-informed and have not had youth leave my presentation from getting upset. This is a Youth Drug Prevention talk without the scare tactics. Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions about my approach!
