Today’s marijuana is not the marijuana of the 1960s and ’70s. It’s far more potent, and a growing body of research is linking heavy use to serious mental health issues, including psychosis and schizophrenia.
Our guest on Grieving Out Loud, Kristen Gilliland, knows those dangers all too well. Her son experienced cannabis-induced psychosis and later died from an accidental drug overdose — a loss Kristen never imagined her own family would face.
That reality is especially striking given her background. Kristen holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and spent years as a professor teaching organic chemistry, neurochemistry, and the chemistry of drugs and poisons.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Kristen opens up about what she wishes she had known sooner, what parents need to understand as marijuana becomes more accessible, and how she leaned on her scientific background to find purpose after losing her son.
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out the following:
Mother blames cannabis-induced psychosis for son’s death
A Mother’s Warning About Laced Marijuana
Teens Share What Really Works to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Use
MEET THE GUEST
Kristen Gilliland
Kristen is a mother and a passionate advocate for adolescent mental health and substance use prevention. After losing her son Anders to complications from cannabis related mental health challenges and overdose, she now educates families and youth about brain development, mental health, and substance use. Kristen is the creator of the award winning documentary Speaking Through Me and is building the nonprofit 22 Forever to expand brain health education for young people.
