🚨 If cannabis (THC) makes you feel paranoid, don't ignore it. SEEK HELP. Paranoia, intense anxiety, confusion, and unusual thoughts after using marijuana are not symptoms to dismiss. THC can trigger serious mental health reactions, including cannabis-induced psychosis. For some individuals, paranoia may be an early warning sign of psychosis. Recognizing the symptoms and getting help early can make a difference. 💙 If you or someone you love experiences these symptoms: Stop using THC and avoid further exposure. Tell someone you trust what you're experiencing. Do not drive. Stay away from weapons and other potential hazards. Seek medical attention, especially if symptoms persist or worsen. Seek emergency help immediately if you are a threat to yourself or others, feel unsafe, or are severely confused. Families, take these warning signs seriously. Your loved one may not recognize that THC is contributing to their symptoms. Respond with compassion, stay calm, and help them access appropriate care. You are not alone. Help and recovery are possible. 💚 RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES 🔹 Every Brain Matters – Education, family support, and recovery resources for those affected by cannabis-related harms. everybrainmatters.org 🔹 Every Brain Matters Family Support Meetings – Connect with families who understand the challenges of cannabis-induced psychosis, addiction, and other THC-related harms. everybrainmatters.org/meetin… 🔹 Marijuana Anonymous – Free peer-support meetings and a 12-step recovery program for people seeking freedom from marijuana addiction. marijuana-anonymous.org 🔹 SAMHSA National Helpline – Free, confidential treatment referrals and information, 24/7. 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 🔹 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 for immediate mental health crisis support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. At Every Brain Matters, we believe education saves lives, families deserve support, and no one should face these challenges alone. 🌐 EveryBrainMatters.org #EveryBrainMatters #CannabisInducedPsychosis #THCAwareness #MarijuanaRisks #MentalHealthAwareness #FamilySupport #RecoveryIsPossible

🕊️ IN LOVING MEMORY OF BRIAN Forever 17 ❤️ Today, we remember Brian—a beloved son whose life ended far too soon. Brian began using marijuana at a young age. At 17, he became violently ill with repeated vomiting, severe dehydration, and kidney failure. Doctors diagnosed him with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), a serious condition associated with cannabis use. Brian struggled to believe marijuana was causing his illness and continued using. On October 24, 2018, another severe episode began. His mother, Regina, cared for him as he became increasingly sick. His final words to her included, “Mom, I can’t breathe.” Brian died at just 17 years old. Six months later, his family received the autopsy report. His official cause of death was dehydration due to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. Regina now shares Brian’s story to raise awareness about CHS and help other families recognize the danger. Brian was a real person with dreams, a family, and so much potential. He was deeply loved. His life mattered, and his story continues to save lives. 🕊️ Read Brian’s story: everybrainmatters.org/2021/0… 🕊️ Every Brain Matters Memorial: everybrainmatters.org/mariju… ❤️‍🩹 If you have lost a loved one due to the effects of marijuana and would like to honor them by sharing their story, contact: [email protected] Every person has a name. Every person has a story. Every person was loved. Every brain matters. #EveryBrainMatters #RememberBrian #InLovingMemory #CHS #CannabinoidHyperemesisSyndrome #MarijuanaHarms #CannabisAwareness #THCAwareness #YouthPrevention #TheirStoriesMatter

Massachusetts, a very blue state is pushing back and and voting to repeal the legalization of marijuana. These pot shops have caused major problems like more people addicted to drugs and severe mental illness. Join Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts at healthierma.com/ foxnews.com/video/6407296708…

According to a 45-page indictment filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, Lucas and six other co-defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute and possess marijuana, conspiring to launder money, laundering money and committing bribery by distributing large quantities of illegal marijuana under the auspices of her legal medical cannabis business. A federal grand jury returned the indictment last week. Lucas, 82, surrendered to law enforcement on Thursday morning. She faces five of the eight charges included in the indictment and is set to make her initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge Thursday afternoon. cbsnews.com/news/l-louise-lu…

Pueblo, Colorado: The Hidden Costs of Commercial Marijuana Pueblo embraced commercial marijuana with promises of jobs, economic growth, and tax revenue. Now, city leaders are questioning those promises as Pueblo faces homelessness and financial challenges. The mayor and City Council are taking steps to limit further marijuana expansion. Other communities should pay attention. Marijuana commercialization comes with costs that tax revenue may not cover. #PuebloColorado #MarijuanaLegalization #THCHarms #PublicHealth #CommunitySafety #EveryBrainMatters

🕊️ IN LOVING MEMORY OF TYLER SHAMASH Forever 19 ❤️ Today, we remember Tyler Shamash—a beloved son whose life ended far too soon. Tyler struggled with addiction and ultimately died at just 19 years old after ingesting fentanyl. His mother, Juli Shamash, shares that Tyler’s substance use began with marijuana. At the time, she didn’t think marijuana was a big deal. She believed it was non-addictive and relatively harmless—something many parents have believed. Looking back, Juli wishes she and Tyler had understood more about today’s high-potency marijuana and the risks it can pose to the developing brain. She now shares Tyler’s story to help other families become informed before they face the same heartbreak. Tyler was so much more than addiction or the circumstances of his death. He was a son who was deeply loved. His life mattered, and his story matters. 🕊️ Read Tyler’s story: everybrainmatters.org/2022/0… 🕊️ Every Brain Matters Memorial: everybrainmatters.org/mariju… ❤️‍🩹 If you have lost a loved one due to the effects of marijuana and would like to honor them by sharing their story, contact: [email protected] Every person has a name. Every person has a story. Every person was loved. Every brain matters. #EveryBrainMatters #RememberTyler #InLovingMemory #FentanylAwareness #MarijuanaHarms #THCAwareness #YouthPrevention #AddictionAwareness #FamiliesMatter #TheirStoriesMatter

🚨 NEW STUDY: Teen Cannabis Addiction Diagnoses Rose After Legalization in California! A new Kaiser Permanente study of more than 637,000 adolescents found that cannabis use disorder diagnoses were declining by approximately 6% annually before legalization, but increased by 8% annually afterward. These findings raise serious concerns about the impact of marijuana commercialization on youth brain health and addiction. At Every Brain Matters, we believe protecting young brains must come before expanding access to addictive THC products. Legal does not mean safe. Prevention matters. Every Brain Matters. 🧠 📖 Read the study: divisionofresearch.kaiserper…

🕊️ IN LOVING MEMORY OF BRIAN FULLER Forever 19 ❤️ Today, we remember Brian Fuller—a beloved son, brother, uncle, and young man who was deeply loved by his family. Brian’s mother, Rita Worstell, describes him as a fun-loving, hardworking 19-year-old who loved his family dearly, especially his sisters and niece. After Brian died by suicide on October 15, 2021, Rita began searching for answers. She learned that Brian had been using Delta-8 THC cartridges and high amounts of Delta-9 marijuana. Before his death, Brian reported losing track of time and experiencing blackouts. He also left a note describing hearing voices telling him it was okay to end his life. Rita once believed, “It’s just marijuana.” Today, she shares Brian’s story so other parents understand that THC products—including Delta-8—are not harmless. Brian was so much more than the circumstances surrounding his death. He was a son who was loved, a brother, an uncle, and a young man whose life mattered. 🕊️ Read Brian’s story: everybrainmatters.org/2022/0… 🕊️ Every Brain Matters Memorial: everybrainmatters.org/mariju… ❤️‍🩹 If you have lost a loved one due to the effects of marijuana and would like to honor them by sharing their story, contact: [email protected] Every person has a name. Every person has a story. Every person was loved. Every brain matters. #EveryBrainMatters #RememberBrian #InLovingMemory #Delta8THC #MarijuanaHarms #CannabisPsychosis #THCAwareness #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #TheirStoriesMatter

🚨 THE RISING COST OF MARIJUANA USE: WHO IS PAYING THE PRICE? A new article published in JAMA highlights the growing use of marijuana in America and raises serious concerns about the consequences for brain health, families, and society. 📈 The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story: 🔹 42% of young adults ages 19–30 reported using marijuana in the past year in 2025, up from 31% in 2015. 🔹 Nearly 12% of young adults reported daily marijuana use in the past month. 🔹 Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD): The article reports that approximately 36% of male and 27% of female cannabis users met criteria for CUD in 2024—highlighting the potential costs of addiction to individuals, families, and communities. 🔹 High-Potency THC and Psychosis: A separate JAMA review reported psychotic-like experiences in 12.4% of high-potency cannabis users compared with 7.1% of lower-potency users, raising concerns about serious mental health consequences and the costs of psychiatric care. 🔹 Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Nearly 200,000 emergency department visits involved CHS between January 2023 and May 2026, according to CDC figures cited in the article. These visits place additional burdens on families and healthcare systems. 💔 But the true costs go far beyond healthcare bills. They include addiction, mental health crises, disrupted education, lost productivity, financial hardship, fractured families, and lives forever changed. At Every Brain Matters, we hear these stories from families every day. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a future worth protecting. Legal does not mean harmless. Protecting brain health must remain a public health priority. We cannot measure the success of marijuana commercialization by tax revenue alone. We must also consider the costs of addiction, psychosis, preventable suffering, and the resources needed to support affected individuals and families. 💙 Prevention costs less than the consequences. Every brain deserves protection from THC. Together, we can turn TRUTH into HOPE and HOPE into CHANGE. 📖 Read the JAMA article: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam… 🌐 EveryBrainMatters.org #EveryBrainMatters #ProtectOurBrains #THCAwareness #PreventionMatters #CannabisPsychosis #BrainHealth #PublicHealth #FamiliesMatter

🎉 We are so proud of our fellow advocate, Chandel Strickland! Chandel will be representing Every Brain Matters at “Communities Talk: A Campaign for Drug and Alcohol Awareness” at Texas Southern University on October 27, 2026! As a mother and passionate advocate, Chandel is a powerful voice raising awareness about the risks of THC use and its connection to the growing challenges of substance use, addiction, and mental health in Texas. Through her courage, personal experience, and dedication to educating others, Chandel is helping bring TRUTH, HOPE, and CHANGE to families and communities. We are grateful for her commitment to protecting young people, empowering families, and advocating for healthier, safer communities. ❤️ Thank you, Chandel, for being a voice for those who are struggling and for families whose stories need to be heard. We are cheering you on! 📅 October 27, 2026 🕥 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Texas Southern University | COE 318 #everybrainmatters #CommunitiesTalk #texassouthernuniversity #THCAwareness #drugprevention #mentalhealthawareness #FamilyAdvocacy #PreventionMatters #truthhopechange

Texas Is Connecting the Dots on THC What happens when the consequences of THC extend beyond the person using it? Texas leaders are examining the connections between THC, addiction, mental illness, homelessness, healthcare, public safety, and the costs carried by families, communities, and taxpayers. Our new article highlights testimony from families, physicians, researchers, law enforcement, and public-health officials—and why prevention, education, treatment, and recovery must be part of the solution—not promoting THC. Texas has made progress, but the fight is not over. 👉 Read the full article: everybrainmatters.org/2026/1…

🕊️ IN LOVING MEMORY OF CATHERINE MAYBERRY Forever 24 ❤️ Today, we remember Catherine Mayberry—a beloved daughter, friend, athlete, artist, musician, and young woman whose life held so much promise. Catherine was an honor student, varsity tennis player, pianist, and award-winning artist. After going away to college, she began regularly using marijuana. Over time, her family watched her withdraw from school, activities, friends, and family. At age 20, Catherine experienced her first episode of psychosis. Her parents described what followed as “Catherine’s first death.” For the next four years, she struggled with persistent hallucinations, delusional thinking, severe anxiety, and substance use. On October 8, 2022, Catherine died at just 24 years old from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and methamphetamine—what her parents called her “second and final death.” Catherine was so much more than addiction, psychosis, or the circumstances of her death. She was deeply loved, and her life mattered. Her family shares her story hoping others will understand the serious risks associated with marijuana use, including addiction and psychosis. 🕊️ Read Catherine’s story: everybrainmatters.org/2023/0… 🕊️ Every Brain Matters Memorial: everybrainmatters.org/mariju… ❤️‍🩹 If you have lost a loved one due to the effects of marijuana and would like to honor them by sharing their story, contact: [email protected] Every person has a name. Every person has a story. Every person was loved. Every brain matters. #EveryBrainMatters #RememberCatherine #InLovingMemory #CannabisInducedPsychosis #CannabisUseDisorder #MarijuanaHarms #PsychosisAwareness #AddictionAwareness #TheirStoriesMatter

🕊️ IN LOVING MEMORY OF HENRY MACDOUGALL March 2, 2001 – October 7, 2017 Forever 16 ❤️ Today, we remember Henry MacDougall—a son, a student, a friend, and a young man whose life ended far too soon. On October 6, 2017, Henry used high-potency marijuana concentrates, known as “dabs.” While driving home, he lost consciousness behind the wheel, drove through a stop sign, and collided with a semi-truck. Henry died hours later. He was just 16 years old. Henry’s father, Gordon, courageously shared his story because he wanted other parents and young people to understand the risks and, hopefully, prevent another family from experiencing this kind of loss. Today, we say Henry’s name. We honor his life. We remember the future he should have had. And we hold his family and everyone who loved him close to our hearts. Always loved. Always remembered. Never forgotten. 🕊️ Read Henry’s story: poppot.org/2018/10/02/my-16-… 🕊️ Every Brain Matters Memorial: everybrainmatters.org/mariju… ❤️‍🩹 Have you lost a loved one due to the effects of marijuana? If you would like to honor their life and share their story through the Every Brain Matters Memorial, please contact: [email protected] Every person has a name. Every person has a story. Every person was loved. Every brain matters. #EveryBrainMatters #InLovingMemory #RememberHenry #AlwaysRemembered #NeverForgotten #MarijuanaHarms #THCAwareness #CannabisAwareness #ImpairedDriving #DrugImpairedDriving #YouthPrevention #ProtectOurYouth #FamiliesMatter #TheirStoriesMatter

🚨 **NEW CDC DATA: Cannabis Detected in Overdose Deaths** A new CDC report found that cannabis was detected in **21% of overdose deaths** examined from 2021–June 2025. The finding that should get our attention: among adolescents ages **12–17, cannabis was detected in 42.7% of overdose deaths**—the highest percentage of any age group. The CDC notes that cannabis detection does **not mean cannabis caused these deaths**; most involved other substances, particularly illicitly manufactured fentanyl or stimulants. But the CDC says youth cannabis use represents an important opportunity for early intervention and prevention. **Our youth deserve prevention, education, and protection—not normalization of THC use.** Read the CDC report: cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/m… #everybrainmatters #cannabiseducation #THC #YouthPrevention #PublicHealth #drugprevention #CDC #preventionnotpromotion