Welcome to the Johnny's Ambassadors Anti-420 Day Youth Marijuana Prevention Conference!

We'll kick off the day at 8:00 AM mountain with an introduction to 420 DAY, logistics, and a word from our sponsors about the important work they're doing.  Kevin Sabet from Smart Approaches to Marijuana will also give us a sneak peek of his new book, SMOKESCREEN, which symbolically launches today!

The Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana: Johnny Stack's Life and Death Story

Time: 9:00 to 9:45 AM MOUNTAIN

Before marijuana, Johnny Stack was a computer whiz with a 4.0 GPA and a perfect math score on the SAT. He was a funny, charming, handsome young man, with a college scholarship and a bright future. After marijuana, he stole his family dog from the home and threatened to kill it without payment from his mother. On Nov. 20, 2019, Johnny took his life. With moving candor, Laura traces the first warning signs, their attempts at rehabilitation, her desperation, and his demise. She will share from her upcoming book (to be published on July 10, 2021), The Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana: Johnny Stack's Life and Death Story. Through this tragic, transparent tale, Laura hopes to help other parents save their youth from the harms of marijuana. 

Workplace Wellness Means Whole Family Health

Time: 10:00 to 10:45 AM MOUNTAIN

Jo McGuire will discuss how employees are negatively affected by family addiction and how today’s legal marijuana plays a role in wreaking havoc in the workplace. Conversely, she will describe how to help parents of struggling teens to remain engaged, productive and consistent in their ability to perform their duties through support during these difficult times.

In this 45-minute webinar, you'll learn to:

1. Understand the impact on families struggling with substance use in the home
2. Recognize the challenges contemporary marijuana presents
3. Discover how workplace support can contribute to family wellness

Commercializing 21st Century Weed

11:00 to 11:45 AM MOUNTAIN

The publicized and politically charged world of drug policy has undergone immense changes over the past several years and those changes manifest not just in policy but also in the physical makeup of the cannabis plant and products derived from components of the plant. Not only has the perception of the plant changed, but the actual plant itself has also undergone dramatic changes as it has been industrialized and brought into a commercial market. As public opinion has softened towards cannabis the effects of consuming today’s marijuana remain poorly understood.

In this 45-minute webinar, you'll learn to:

• Understand the difference between today’s corporately produced marijuana and what grows naturally and has been consumed in the past
• Identify current forms of THC consumption including edibles, vaporizers, and concentrates
• Discuss the science of today’s marijuana and the harms associated with it

Yes, Marijuana is Addictive

Time: 12:00 to 12:45 PM MOUNTAIN

Many people believe that marijuana is not addictive, but this is not true. Especially with the higher potency THC marijuana, it is definitely addictive, more so if you start using marijuana before your brain fully develops, as in before the mid 20s. Once addicted, users can experience an uncomfortable withdrawal syndrome that encourages continued use. Using marijuana addictively can lead to other problems including psychosis, mood swings, thoughts of suicide, and cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. 

In this 45-minute webinar, you'll learn:

• Understand how marijuana use can result in addiction
• Recognize signs and symptoms of addiction/withdrawal with marijuana
• Describe consequences from regular marijuana use such as psychotic symptoms, thoughts of suicide, and cannabis hyperemesis syndrome

A Briefing on the Status of Marijuana in America

1:00 to 1:45 PM MOUNTAIN

We will examine the history of marijuana legalization in our country as well as looking at the current status of legalization.  We will explore what can and may happen in the next few years, and well will discuss some of the common issues and concerns that marijuana legalization has brought.

In this 45-minute webinar, you'll learn:

• The history and trajectory of legalization in America
• Current status of legalization in America
• Comprehensive review of marijuana legalization moving forward
• Discuss and explain the most common issues and concerns regarding legalization 

Ask Me How I Know: Marijuana Use Increases the Risk for Suicide

2:00 to 2:45 PM MOUNTAIN

Sally’s son Andy left an important message in a suicide note: “Marijuana killed my soul + ruined my brain.” She speaks and writes to Help Andy Help Others, educating youth and families about the risks and harms of THC.

In this 45-minute webinar, you'll learn:

1. Is suicide risk increased with marijuana use?
2. Is there still suicide risk after marijuana use cessation?
3. What are signs of suicide risk?
4. What can families do if they observe suicide ideation?
5. Are there known suicide deaths from marijuana use?

Women and Weed: Trends for the 21st Century

3:00 to 3:45 PM MOUNTAIN

This presentation will outline the rapidly changing culture of cannabis use highlighting potency and routes of administration, perception of risk, and common exchanges regarding substance use and women’s issues. It will share popular products marketed to women and campaigns targeted to female identified individuals. It will review public health concerns including child protective services, health concerns of using during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as the influence on self and family, and how to have an intelligent “cannabis conversation.” 

In this 45-minute webinar, you'll learn to:

• Identify new trends in use, potency, products, and marketing practices that make women vulnerable to use.
• Discuss the relationship between cannabis and women’s health. 
• Describe how the legalization of recreational cannabis has influenced public health, perception and consumption specifically targeting women
• Review current research pertaining to addiction, intelligence / academic success, and parenting and effective ways to communicate use deterrence. 

Legalization of Marijuana: The Impacts in Colorado

4:00 to 4:45 PM MOUNTAIN

In this 45-minute presentation, you'll learn:

• How the impacts of legal marijuana experienced in Colorado can be used as a predictive analysis tool elsewhere
• Marijuana’s adverse impacts to public health issues
• The implications legalized marijuana has on public safety concerns

Why Education Works

5:00 to 5:45 PM MOUNTAIN

History shows us that drug education works when the message is powerful, consistent, and sustained over time. In a world where some are calling for surrender to the drug culture, how do we use our time, talents, and education with a renewed sense of purpose and passion? What is the message to be shared and why is this work so important for the future of America?

In this 45-minute webinar, you'll learn:

• What drug prevention messages are most effective
• Why increased drug prevention efforts are needed in today’s world
• What evidence shows us that prevention works
• A recipe for hope