My 68-year-old husband of 32 years and father to our three wonderful children, went into a cannabis induced psychosis, experiencing delusions on January 7, 2021.  

In 1969, at the age of 14, he became a marijuana user to cope with his parent’s divorce.  In 2015, possibly even sooner, he started vaping high potency THC oil and eating edibles. He became paranoid when he consumed too much. Usually, within 24-36 hours, his symptoms would subside.  

However, this was not the case after a week-long trip to Vail, Colorado for New Year’s 2021. He consumed a lot of edibles and vaped high-potency THC oil the whole trip. On January 7, 2021, he forever changed right in front of me.  

This drug not only destroyed my husband, but our marriage, and it tore apart our family.  His early warning signs were not taken seriously as he continued to use it, because we were told (and thought) it was “safe”. We had no idea what the consequences would ultimately be for not knowing the truth.  Had we known, I believe he would have stopped using it or at the very least, he would have been able to make an educated decision based on facts, not false assumptions.

This can never happen to another family.  I lost a husband, father, friend, successful business leader, a once happy and fun person, to this drug, because we were lied to and unaware of its dangers.

People must know the risks associated with consuming high potency THC and understand the most prominent signs of psychosis: paranoia, auditory hallucinations, and delusions (e.g. believing you are going to conquer the world or that you are President). After the first onset of symptoms, there is a window of opportunity to get help to achieve marijuana abstinence. If they are still experiencing symptoms of psychosis after a month from the first symptom, there is still a chance for recovery if they quit using. But the hope for a successful recovery diminishes markedly with continued use and repeated psychotic episodes, which can eventually advance to a form of schizophrenia, the diagnosis likely to be given if the psychosis persists for at least 6 months after marijuana cessation.  

We are past the window of opportunity to help my husband.  As I was crying out for help, I was hit with such resistance, because no one ever heard of a cannabis psychosis. Very few people knew of my husband’s cannabis use, because it’ is easy to hide these days.

This is a real problem that is only going to get worse if we don’t start educating the public.  For those of us who have been hurt by this new high-potency THC, we are asking for proper labeling on ALL products and to make sure people are aware of its dangers.

My husband is part of the ground zero tragedy that is sweeping our country.  We cannot allow this to continue. The public needs to know how this new high potency THC is affecting ALL brains, from prenatal to seniors. It is forever changing the lives of innocent users and their families. We have a responsibility to warn and protect them. Please do not turn a blind eye. Me and my family learned the hard way. Not knowing the truth, did not protect us, it destroyed us.

My husband is alive, but the man I married is dead. The marijuana that he used in his youth was much different than what is on the market today. It is stronger in THC potency and a much more serious risk to mental health. Our marriage is over, but I am making it my mission to warn others.

Submitted by Elle Constantine

Michigan