Survivors Page

We embrace the people who have survived and celebrate their recovery from the harms of marijuana.

We learn from their experience, find resources from their strength to share, and give hope to others.

Anne Hassel

I am a physical therapist who so strongly believed in medical marijuana that I went to work in a Massachusetts marijuana dispensary for 1.5 years as a budtender. After consuming (dabbing) toxic and contaminated high potency THC concentrates, I was heavy metal poisoned. In addition to physical harm, I developed all 11 out of 11 characters of CUD (Cannabis Use Disorder) and CIP (Cannabis Induced Psychosis). I was fortunate to wake up to the harm, quit the marijuana industry, and marijuana. I found the courage to speak out about the marijuana industry’s unethical, deceptive, and dangerous practices. My hope is that people will wake up to the harmful reality and dangers of the marijuana industry and its products

George F. Spicka

Here in the U.S., there’s been an ongoing struggle between those of us who seek to warn the public, especially parents, about marijuana’s overt dangers – and the marijuana industry and their lobbyists, who spread misinformation that marijuana is harmless.

I speak from personal experience. 

I became addicted in my early 20s, then suffered a psychotic breakdown shortly after my 25th birthday.  This was at the time THC levels were around 3%.

In spite of the maximum daily dose of two separate medications, I still struggle with mental illness even after 50 years.

So as far as I am concerned, any who say that marijuana is harmless doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

However, concerned people like me are widely denigrated as being “prohibitionists.”  That includes the U.S. Surgeon General, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, The American Heart Association, National Institutes of Health, American Academy of Pediatrics, European Heart Association, and many other major health organizations – plus an increasing host of parents who are making their voices heard, concerning the suffering and grief their kids and they have gone through.

How the suffering of children can be ignored is beyond me, but it’s a stark reality here.

George has composed over 670 works, including jazz and modern classical / Latin, rock and funk / educational, country-rock, and worship.

Baltimore gigs include Artscape, Light City Baltimore, Free Fall Baltimore, and An die Musik.

He’s performed at the Kennedy Center and has been showcased twice in Greenwich Village.. 

George is also a talented artist. Please view his artwork at this link.

George F. Spicka

Baltimore, MD USA