Laura Stack talks 'Today's THC on the Teenage Brain'

Laura Stack is a best-selling author and internationally renowned speaker. In 2019, her 19 year old son, Johnny, died from suicide after becoming psychotic from dabbing high concentrate marijuana. Laura Stack is the Founder and CEO of JohnnysAmbassaadors.org

The brain is not fully developed until your mid20s. In high school, our kids are often using THC, and they have the right to know that today's THC is all high potency (>10%) and can permanently damage their brain (before it's fully developed)

Laura does not use scare tactics; she backs up ALL her statements with hard facts and data. *True Testimonials: "powerful performance", "relevant and inspiring", "outstanding", "timely", "enlightening", "honest", "engaging", "passionate and captivating", "impressive", "saved my son's life"

San Luis Obispo Medical Education and Research Foundation. SLO MERF is a local non profit made up of local physicians dedicated to the well being of our community, with special interests in our youth and mental illness. *Also supported by SLO County TUPE consortium & Office of Education.

Since devoting her career in 2020 to this: Laura has spoken to 400+ schools, her book about her son, Johnny, has become a best seller. Speaks yearly at the Stanford addiction ed convention. She has been featured in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, People magazine, Dr. Phil, CNN, Fox,PBS,...

This podcast episode on the fabulous "HopeStream podcast" is a very good introduction for any adult wanting to know more about her scope of work and expertise. Here is the link to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ANcnqwkJiCUlVbPxzqg10?si=Hg0wDrvJQtuOQmzvQnRf0w&pi=u-KGcjP86bSayk

YES, the official diagnosis is called Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). It is a true medical diagnosis. In 2013, MARIJUANA ADDICTION was recognized in the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which later added MARIJUANA WITHDRAWAL as a newer condition.

Because ALL (even flower) the marijuana products on the market now are made with High THC content (>10%). Example: A 1990s joint contained 5mg of THC, but Today's joint is now at least 36 mg of THC.

Recent state surveys show that marijuana use is more popular among teenagers today. Marijuana is the #1 "gateway" or foundation drug toward other/future substance use.

An entire 1990s joint was 2-5% potency and a total of 5 mg. A vape is >80% potency, and at least 4 mg PER PUFF (most vape carts will last 200 puffs total). So a teen taking just one hit off a vape is equal to smoking an entire 1990s joint by themselves.

THC is harmful for the developing brain/adolescents & includes:1) risk for permanent conversion to schizophrenia is greatest (6%) from cannabis. 2) heavy THC teenage use predicts an 8-point drop in Adult IQ. 3) teens who use THC have 7.5 increase in suicide attempts.

Data shows that One out of 6 teens who's start using marijuana will become addicted to it. (Once they are using daily, One in 3 teens will become addicted)

According to the 2021/22 California Healthy Kids Survery data (statewide survey taken every 2yrs): the rate of new conversion use in our county school district averaged 15%.

Johnny’s Ambassadors mission is to educate teens, parents, and communities about the dangers of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. * This is also the link to the book about her son, Johnny)-https://johnnysambassadors.org/.

Average in CA is 20% of teenagers. THC is increasingly the party drug of choice. Recent data (California Healthy Kids Survey, taken q2 years) shows marijuana use is more popular than alcohol among teenagers today. Marijuana is the #1 "gateway" or foundation drug toward other future substance use.

If you are suspecting your child is abusing marijuana, it's helpful to recognize common withdrawal symptoms including: decreased or poor appetite , mood changes, irritability, insomnia, headaches, poor concentration, excessive sweating, chills, depression, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting.

Yes, she will be speaking in the SLOHS theatre during first period (8:30am), May 8th (Wednesday). Due to limited seating, this will be by invite and request only. ---The SLOHS principals will be targeting this audience, mostly to the freshman.