Johnny Stack’s Life & Death Story
NOVEMBER 8, 2023
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Charleston
300 Court Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Laura Stack’s 19-year-old son, Johnny, died by suicide on November 20, 2019, after becoming psychotic from dabbing high-THC marijuana concentrates. Soon afterward, Laura started a 501c3, Johnny’s Ambassadors, to educate parents, teens, and communities about the dangers of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. Her platform now brings prevention education to drug prevention conferences, community groups, and schools to stop youth marijuana use. Johnny’s story has been told in People Magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, PBS, and Dr. Phil. Laura is a powerful speaker who brings Johnny’s personal warning and solid research together in her book, The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death Story.
Training for Prevention and Behavioral Health Professionals, Community Partners, Coalitions, and Schools
11:00am – 12:30pm
Objectives
- Participate in a Photo Tour of a Colorado Dispensary and See the High-Potency Marijuana Products Used by Today’s Youth
- Learn About the Endocannabinoid System and How THC Interferes with Adolescent Brain Development
- See the Results of Legalizing Medical Marijuana for 18-Year-Olds in Colorado
- Understand How Adolescent Marijuana Use Can Lead to Mental Illness and Psychosis
- Discover the Connection Between Youth Marijuana Use and Suicidality
CEs pending – More Information/Registration
A Conversation with Families, Youth, and Community Members
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Objectives
- Who’s Johnny?
- “Then” vs. “Now” marijuana
- Why do youth use marijuana?
- Is marijuana medicine?
- Adolescent brain development
- Impacts of THC use on adolescents
- Risks of mental illness, psychosis, and suicide
- Learning refusal skills