Our son Kevin was 15 when he started abusing marijuana. He was very good at hiding his use until he came to us and said he was depressed and needed help. We spoke with an educational consultant; they evaluated Kevin and recommended a therapeutic wilderness program. This was the beginning of many years of therapy and other programs Kevin participated in. From age 15 to 29, Kevin’s drug of choice was marijuana. During that time period he had many psychotic breaks, 51/50’s (Editors note: 5150 refers to the California law code for the temporary, involuntary psychiatric commitment of individuals who present a danger to themselves or others due to signs of mental illness) and at least three suicide attempts.
Over the years he used marijuana with higher and higher amounts of THC. About two years before he took his life he said, “Cannabis has ruined my life.” We love and miss Kevin very much, everyday. One way we are trying to honor Kevin’s life is by telling his story and educating other parents and young people about the great harm that most of today’s marijuana with high THC, does to the developing brain.
(Fact: One of the periods of rapid growth for the human brain is ages 12 to 25. This is a crucial period that determines the structure and future functioning of the adult brain.)
Bart and Hazel Bright, California
Bart and Hazel,
I am so sorry about Kevin and what you all lost to the drug marijuana.
Thank you for joining us at Moms Strong, telling our personal experiences, and exposing the charade of marijuana as a harmless substance.
We work to help others before it is too late.
May Kevin’s handsome smile live in your hearts forever.
Thank you, Sally!
God Bless,
Bart
Hazel,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your strength and honesty will help others and hopefully prevent more senseless losses. We appreciate you!
I am so very sorry, Mr. And Mrs. Bright. Thank you Kevin for helping other people through your mom and dad sharing your tragedy.
So sorry for your loss. So tragic that Congress is allowing this to happen again, just as Congress allowed the opioid problem. Today there’s an addiction epidemic and marijuana is a big part of the mix. Drug addiction almost always starts with marijuana and often ends with marijuana. The drug is much stronger and much worse than most people know. For many people, like Kevin, marijuana is THE problem drug. You have a sympathetic group her and we’re a growing band of families who’ve been affected by this drug.
Thank you, Dale!
I appreciate your support and agree with you. “We are a growing band of families…”
Take Care,
Bart
Bart, I spoke to you in the past through Tracy S. I read Kevin’s story and the information posted while attending the Western States Marijuana Summit in San Diego and can only see an upward struggle to fight addiction and the drug cartels and unethical people willing to sacrifice human life to sell their products. You must stay strong and be out there to give education out to as many as possible for prevention/intervention. Every person that listens and passes along a message is a victory. Have courage, bless you.
Thank you, Caroline!
Yes, we must stay strong and continue to communicate our stories about the harm that today’s high THC pot is inflicting on our young people.
Keep fighting!
Best Regards,
Bart
Dear Bart and Hazel,
I am so sorry to hear about your precious Kevin. I’ve lost both of my children to addiction and marijuana was both their gateway drug and their relapse drug. Legalizing marijuana is the biggest mistake this country has made. The damage isn’t seen immediately, but over time, we all know the costs. I’m glad you found our group and if you ever need to talk or cry, we are here for you. May God’s love wrap around you and carry you through this tough season in your lives. You will be in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Karen Bailey
Hi Karen,
Thank you for your kind words and prayers. We are so sorry for the loss of you children. By supporting each other and telling our stories we are chipping away at the myth, “It’s just pot.” As we know, today’s 80% THC “shatter,” marijuana is NOT “just pot” anymore.
Thanks again,
Bart and Hazel
Thank you for sharing. My son just passed due to the similar reasons. I will be writing my story soon. I completely agree about the high THC levels and the developing brain. “just weed” is killing our children. Prayers & Hugs.
Hi Suzanne,
We are so sorry for the loss of your son. Thank you for reaching out to us. Let’s continue to support each other and the large numbers of parents who have also lost a child to this drug.
God Bless you,
Bart and Hazel
Hello Bart and Hazel,
Thank you for Kevin’s story.
I must have a guardian angel, because I’m a marijuana addiction/psychosis survivor.
To honor Kevin, I’m placing his image on my marijuana-links-page.
So sorry for your loss. Pot is a scourge and causing our youth grave danger in some cases like yours. I want your voices to be heard and continue to work in this arena with families like yours my motivation
Thank you for sharing and it’s always better to tell the truth. For mothers like me trying to help their child recover. It is always a reminder of the unthinkable but very possible outcome. My son is now on his second 5150 in fact he is coming home today. We remain hopeful but vigilant it’s such a tough balance to achieve a level sanity for everyone involved.
Dear Adriana,
I’m reading some of the older posts and just came across your more recent post. It’s utterly heartbreaking how many of our precious children have fallen victim to the egregious consequences from pot. Your story is just another added tragedy to the immense suffering of our families across the U.S.
I started this website in 2016 along with two other Moms and have kept it going so all these truthful, gut-wrenching stories can be told. I know your pain as my son ( Shane) was admitted twice to two locked psychiatric facilities in So CA for what is now formerly diagnosed as “cannabis-induced-psychosis” which the DSM ( Diagnostic Statistical Manual) 5th edition in 2013 added this diagnosis and a “cannabis-use-disorders’ section since these horrific mind-altering brain assaults are happening to thousands of young people in the 21st century from the new “high potency” marijuana. “High potency” is technically defined as THC > 10% which the newest pot products have even much higher yields of THC. We know from all the scientific literature done globally on “CIP” cannabis-induced-psychosis” it doesn’t take that much THC to tweak the brain, especially teens and young adults.
We are living in outrageous political times when drugs like marijuana ( & all the byproducts produced) by these ganjapreneurs aided by too many pro pot politicians who’re are embedded with this MJ industry either with financial motives or to ingratiate themselves with the public who remains duped, gullible, naive or simply ignorant as to the prolific harms caused by THC marijuana. The Woodstock era of pot ( considered “weak” THC of 1-3% with equal ratio of CBD no longer exists). And the pot of yesteryear still caused mental health disorders but pales in comparison to today’s mental health crisis in America. Our kids have been sold down the river as this brain toxic drug has been promoted as first “medicinal” over the years since CA became the first state to legalize “medical marijuana “ in 1996 by popular vote which is when the marijuana movement of “normalization” began. State after state has fallen into legalization for either “medical” or “ recreational” pot ( or both). It’s such a travesty of injustice to our unsuspecting kids who have no knowledge, no warning labels on these pot products that they may be vulnerable to the catastrophic effects to their brain or body ( as with CHS).
I’m thinking of your son and hope for a miracle. The words “I’m sorry” to all of the Moms Strong families is so inadequate. I wish our cries would be heard by society. Our kids and our families deserve the truth to be told that the harmful and in many cases -deadly- effects from use of THC marijuana have shattered our lives.