Category Archives: Testimonies

A Poem in honor of International Survivors Of Suicide Loss Day

Suicide, such a loss.                                                                                           Marijuana taking our children, oh at what a cost!

Grieving, yet driven, to let all be told. There’s a price to be paid, all is not gold!

Mothers and Fathers are hurting, yet staying strong, to spread the word. Marijuana can be dangerous, it’s hurting our world.

Pain relief is great, except when it starts to abate. Then the demons take over, for some it’s too late!

Mental health and marijuana, “Buyer Beware”, it’s got a bite to take your life, not even all of the Doctors are aware.

Science is talking, but many people don’t care. The almighty buck, they’re taking more than their share.

Please start to pay attention, it’s taking our land, killing off nature, and placing a line in the sand.

It’s ok to want help, to be free from the pain. But let’s work together to research, to find the best plan.

Please, please remember, there’s families grieving all around the land, another child buried, help us to take a stand!!

By Sharon Southard  11-20-2020

In memory of Tyler Southard who died on July 28, 2018, and the other parents who shared a memory of their sons who died because of marijuana-related suicides.

                     Plus all the families and children remembered here and on the MomsStrong.org website.   Shane’s story, as well as Andy’s storyes, and all the other stories.    

A special thank you, Sharon, and a shout out to all the other parents who have the courage to share your story.   

Johnny’s Story

By Laura Stack, Founder, Johnny’s Ambassadors

Johnny Stack was born on February 7, 2000 and died by suicide on November 20, 2019 at the age of 19. He was an incredibly intelligent, funny, charming, handsome young man, which you can see in his tribute video. We are a normal suburban family and did normal family things. He had a happy life, a 4.0 GPA with a scholarship to college, and a family who loved him very much. Unfortunately, we live in Colorado, which was the first state to legalize marijuana in 2014, when Johnny was 14 years old.

Three days before he passed, he came over for dinner. He lived in our condo a couple miles down the street and would often pop in for a home-cooked meal. “I need to tell you that you were right,” he says me. “Right about what?” I ask. “Right about the marijuana. You told me weed would hurt my brain, and it’s ruined my mind and my life. You were right all along. I’m sorry, and I love you.” He died by suicide three days later. Continue reading Johnny’s Story

My Daughter Suffered Paranoia and Psychosis from “Medical” Marijuana

My daughter is in her thirties.  A friend who was a recovering drug addict introduced her to marijuana. She started experimenting with pot after high school. I didn’t know about it at the time, only found out years later. She said it brought up memories and was sort of traumatic for her.

She started seeing a therapist.  And, eventually, she was recommended a medical marijuana card. I still don’t know the diagnosis. She was smoking marijuana occasionally before that, but once she got the card she started smoking large amounts of pot. She was telling me strange things, things that didn’t make sense. I thought ‘this is really odd.’ The next time we visited she was very secretive. She was dressed nicely and seemed to be taking care of herself, as normal. But it was our conversation that was unnerving.  She took me outside to the woods nearby to speak, because she suspected there were hidden cameras all over her home. Continue reading My Daughter Suffered Paranoia and Psychosis from “Medical” Marijuana

Parent Gives Riveting Congressional Testimony about VAPINg Dangers

My name is Tiffany Barnard Davidson. I moved to Washington DC six weeks ago. Prior to that, I was a resident of the state of Connecticut for 19 years. I sit before you today to speak about the impact that vaping high-nicotine content JUUL pods and high-potency THC oil has had on my family. I would like to begin by expressing my condolences to those families who have been much less fortunate than mine as a result of this escalating vaping crisis. True to what I have learned this past year, stories endlessly more tragic than mine often go untold because families are often too traumatized.

On December 9, 2018, my eyes were forever opened to marijuana addiction and its deleterious consequences. That evening, my then-17-year-old son lay in my arms sobbing uncontrollably. I would soon learn that he was struggling with marijuana addiction. Continue reading Parent Gives Riveting Congressional Testimony about VAPINg Dangers