Sessions are 75 minutes with 45 minutes for slides, 15 minutes for Q&A, and 15 minutes for discussion/chat and transition. Each presentation is a general session (no breakout sessions). ALL TIMES ARE MOUNTAIN.

Day 1 - Wednesday, July 10, 2024

7:30 Registration and breakfast
8:00-8:15 Laura and John Stack, Johnny's Ambassadors Youth THC Prevention
8:15-9:30 Dr. Susan Weiss, Director, Division of Extramural Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

9:30-10:45 Dr. Alexandra (Alex) Chisholm, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
10:45-12:00 Dr. Erik Messamore, Psychiatric physician, pharmacologist expert in marijuana and psychosis
12:00-1:00 Lunch and action planning
1:00-2:15 Dr. Deepak D’Souza, Professor, Yale School of Medicine
2:15-3:30 Dr. Bertha Madras, Professor, Harvard Medical School
3:30-4:45 Dr. Matthew Rossheim, Associate Professor, the University of North Texas
4:45-5:00 Laura Stack, Founder & CEO, Johnny's Ambassadors Youth THC Prevention

Day 2 - Thursday, July 11, 2024

7:30 Breakfast

8:00-8:15 Welcome and kick off – Laura Stack
8:15-9:30 Carly Noelani Kajiwara, Director of Trainings, Stanford REACH Lab
9:30-10:45 Ciara Gregovich, Community Outreach Specialist, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
10:45-12:00 Dr. Mike Barnes, Chief Clinical Officer of Foundry Treatment Center
12:00-1:00 Lunch and action planning
1:00-2:15 Ryan Silberberg, Founder and Chief Recovery Specialist, The Sage Collaborative
2:15-3:30 Laura Stack, Founder & CEO of Johnny's Ambassadors Youth THC Prevention
3:30-4:45 Brandi Welch, recovered from Cannabis-Induced Psychosis
4:45-5:00 Closing with Laura Stack

$349: LIVE EVENT (includes breakfast, lunch, all-day beverages, parking, and materials for both days). 

$149: LIVE STREAM (includes both days - per connection - includes recording)

** This investment is PER PERSON. If you want to register a group, you can send their names and emails to Laura@JohnnysAmbassadors.org, and we will send you an invoice to pay online with a credit card. No need to register them one at a time! **

Welcome and Kick-Off

Laura Stack was best known in the business world for her professional moniker, The Productivity Pro. Her 30-year career as a keynote speaker, bestselling author of eight productivity books, and corporate spokesperson came to a screeching halt on November 20, 2019, when her 19-year-old son, Johnny, died by suicide after becoming psychotic from dabbing high-THC marijuana concentrates. Laura responded by forming the nonprofit, Johnny’s Ambassadors, to educate parents and teens about the dangers of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. Her platform now brings education, awareness, and prevention curriculum to schools, parents, prevention conferences, and coalitions to prevent youth THC use.

John Stack is Johnny's father and is the Chairman of the Board and COO of Johnny's Ambassadors Youth THC Prevention. John will tell his story for the first time from his perspective as Johnny's father.

State of the Science of Cannabis: Effects on Adolescents

Cognitive and Affective Effects of High Dose THC During Adolescence: Implications for Psychiatric Disorders

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency in cannabis is at historic highs. Despite positive perceptions towards cannabis and increases in consumption, emerging evidence shows that use of high potency products has negative impacts on mental health. These effects may be more pronounced for adolescents, as use of cannabis and potent products can disrupt teen brain development, which may increase risk for psychiatric conditions including anxiety, cannabis use disorder, and drug-induced psychosis. This talk will cover the known effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain and describe animal models that show causal effects of high dose THC on behaviors that have implications for psychiatric disorders.

Learning objectives. At the end of this talk you should have a basic understanding of:

1.    Why the adolescent brain is sensitive to the effects of cannabis

2.    Preclinical evidence describing the effects of potent THC on behavior and brain

3.    How preclinical and clinical data may be used to help inform the public/teens about potential risks of high potency cannabis use

Bio: Dr. Alexandra (Alex) Chisholm is a postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York under the supervision of Dr. Yasmin Hurd. With a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Concordia University, Dr. Chisholm’s research focuses on understanding how drug of abuse impacts the brain, with a focus on cannabinoids and opioids.

THIS is How THC Can Cause Psychosis

Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Mental Illness

Emerging Challenges for THC Policy and Prevention

This session will cover the rationale for re-scheduling marijuana, psychedelic substances, stigma and de-stigmatization, and emerging challenges to prevention.

* Understand the reasons behind the push to re-schedule marijuana at the federal level, including the arguments from advocates and opponents.
* Learn what psychedelic substances are, how they affect the brain, and examine the evidence for and against their medical and recreational use.
* Explore the concept of stigma and its impact on drug use, as well as how destigmatization efforts can have both positive and negative consequences.
* Gain insights into the evolving challenges faced by prevention efforts in the context of changing drug policies and societal attitudes towards drug use.

Bio: Bertha K Madras, PhD, is a Professor of Psychobiology at Harvard Medical School (35 years of service) based at McLean Hospital and cross-appointed at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Her research focuses on neurobiology, imaging, and drug discovery for neuropsychiatric disorders. She also engages in research relevant to public policy. She is author of more than 200 scientific manuscripts, articles, book chapters and co-editor of books, and she is the recipient of 19 U.S. and 27 international issued patents, with collaborators. In public policy, she served as Deputy Director for Demand Reduction in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Executive Office of the President, a presidential appointment confirmed unanimously (99-0) by U.S. Senate. Her experiences in neuroscience research, drug discovery, education, government and public service, offer a unique perspective at the intersection of science, public policy, education and leadership.

Derived Psychoactive Cannabis Products: the Harms of Delta-8 and Synthetic Cannabinoids

The 2018 Farm Bill led to the introduction of several new types of derived psychoactive cannabis products in the U.S. This presentation explores the diverse range of products that have recently become available and discusses the accompanying public health concerns. We will delve into a series of interconnected studies that investigate the marketing of Delta-8 THC and similar products, because marketing elements (including products, prices, promotions, and placement) greatly influence usage, especially among young people. Finally, we will explore potential policy solutions that could help mitigate related risks. 

Objectives:
1. Explain terminology related to derived psychoactive cannabis products.
2. Identify common types of derived psychoactive cannabis products.
3. Describe the known and unknown risks related to the use of derived psychoactive cannabis products.
4. Summarize the problematic marketing practices used for derived psychoactive cannabis products.

Dr. Rossheim completed a PhD program in Public Health Sciences at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, as well as a BA in Economics and MPH with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Florida. Prior to joining the UNTHSC School of Public Health as a faculty in 2021, he was a faculty member at George Mason University. His research focuses on the marketing of substances frequently used by young people including supersized alcopops, electronic cigarettes, and derived psychoactive cannabis products such as delta-8 THC. His research has been cited in reports by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization, as well as in city and county ordinances. 

Smart Talk: Cannabis Prevention & Awareness 

This workshop will give you tools to help you talk to teens about key factors associated with youth cannabis use. Increase their knowledge about cannabis and the harms they can cause. Gain awareness of strategies manufacturers and sellers of cannabis products employ to increase use among adolescents, such as deceptive and creative marketing strategies. Ultimately, cannabis use of any type.

Objectives

* Changing adolescents’ attitudes towards and misperceptions about cannabis
* Increasing their refusal skills to pulls of marketing and social media
* Reducing stress and depression which have been linked to cannabis initiation and use
* Improving coping skills
* Decreasing intentions and actual use of all cannabis products

Carly Noelani Kajiwara was born and raised in Moanalua, Oʻahu. She graduated from Kamehameha Schools and went on to UC Berkeley where she majored in Psychology and Creative Writing. She has experience in the education, healthcare, and legal fields. As the Director of Educational Trainings in the Halpern-Felsher REACH Lab, Carly develops various educational curriculums and directs trainings on the curriculum. Carly also co-directs project management within the curriculum team, works with community partners, assists with lab research, and mentors the REACH Youth Action Board students. She is also passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. In her free time, Carly enjoys surfing, traveling, working on new crafts, and going on adventures with her dogs Nala and Lady.

How to Better Protect Youth from Marijuana Commercialization

Treating Cannabis Use Disorder in Young Adults: Habilitation vs. Rehabilitation

Staging an Intervention to Get Your Child to Treatment

Your child might be afflicted with a mental health or substance use disorder and needs help, but he/she doesn't think help is needed.  Perhaps your child is over the age of 18 and won't agree to treatment. A professional intervention might be required. 

Objectives

* Understanding Intervention and the different modalities
* The when, how, and why to do an intervention
* The importance of boundaries and how to implement them
* Understanding the family system and the individual roles each play in the intervention and treatment process
* What continuing support looks like for both the family and their struggling loved one

Bio: Since finding and working in long term recovery, Ryan has made helping others struggling with addiction and mental health challenges his personal and professional passion. He has worked at every level of the addiction continuum including intervention and care management, helping people in the acute detoxification stage, supporting clients in finding appropriate primary care treatment, and working as a recovery coach. He has held positions as Residential Manager in extended care and transitional living settings, as well as the Director of Admissions and Marketing for a nationally recognized treatment facility.

The Dangerous Connection Between Youth THC Use and Suicidal Thinking, Attempts, and Suicide 

Twelve years after marijuana was legalized in Colorado, suicide is now the #1 cause of death in our youth ages 15-18, and the #1 substance found in their toxicology reports is THC (not alcohol or illicit drugs). Many people are unaware of the connection between youth THC use and suicidality. This session will present the latest THC/suicide data locally, nationally, and globally.

Objectives:

* How today's high potency products lead to greater addiction and changes in brain development
* How brain changes are connected to mental illnesses and suicidality
* New research demonstrating the correlation between youth THC use and suicide

Laura Stack is the Founder & CEO of Johnny's Ambassadors Youth THC Prevention, which she started after her 19-year-old son, Johnny, died by suicide after becoming psychotic from dabbing high-potency THC concentrates. She educates parents, teens, and communities about the dangers of today's potent THC products (marijuana, dabs, vapes, edibles) on adolescent brain development, psychosis, and suicide. She speaks at middle and high schools across the U.S. with her THC prevention message.

Marijuana, Gen Z, and Me: My Recovery from Cannabis-Induced Psychosis

As a part of generation Z, Brandi will be providing insight of her first-hand experience with marijuana, with an emphasis on the importance of educating our youth on the effects of THC use. She will be sharing her experience with cannabis use, beginning with the time that led up to her first initial use of marijuana/THC, the time and state she was in while using, when symptoms of CIP began to occur, and ending with her testimony of recovery. She will then discuss the dangers of marijuana commercialization targeting youth and how to better support Gen Z in a time where teen marijuana usage is higher than ever. 

Objectives

* Understand what draws Gen Z to start using or continue using THC
* Learn marijuana trends and how the industry is marketing to Gen Z
* Find out how to recognize signs and symptoms of CIP
* Understand how to support Gen Z by educating and informing them about Marijuana/THC

Bio: Brandi Welch is 22 years old and a 2019 graduate of both Tulare Union High School and the Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) Academy. Since January 2023, she has been the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Abuse Prevention Coordinator with Tulare County NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence), located in the Central Valley of California. Brandi is a recovered Marijuana/THC user with a personal testimony of her own, who is willing to share her story with anyone who will listen. Brandi is passionate about informing both parents and her generation, “Gen Z,” about the dangers of Marijuana/THC use. Brandi is an active member of her home church, serving on both the Praise & Worship Team and the Children’s Ministry. Loyal to her Alma Mater, she also serves as the alumnus Secretary of the AME Advisory Board.