Brian Smith (2001 – 2018)

I want to tell the story of how marijuana changed my and my family’s lives forever. My son, Brian, began using marijuana at age 13.  I was not aware he was using it that young.  I did find out later he was smoking, and when I found out, I was grateful he wasn’t on heroin or meth.

Brian had been on antidepressants and did not like the way they made him feel, so he used marijuana as a way of dealing with depression.  On April 7, 2018, Brian was taken to the emergency room because he had been vomiting and could not keep even a sip of water down.  The doctors determined it was an anxiety attack caused by violent vomiting, but the cause of the vomiting was unknown until another doctor poked her head in and asked if Brian smoked marijuana and if hot showers or baths relieved his symptoms.  His reply was yes.  She said he had Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.  The only cure is to quit all cannabis use.  Brian was hospitalized, monitored, and released after two days because his kidney function had improved.  He agreed to quit smoking until he could see a GI doctor in 45 days.

But we were both in denial of the diagnosis, and Brian resumed smoking.  On October 7, 2018, Brian had to be taken to the ER for vomiting.  His kidneys had begun to fail, and his heart rate was too high.  Despite the CHS diagnosis a third time, he was still in denial and returned to smoking marijuana.

On October 24, 2018, I woke up to Brian not feeling well.  Soon afterward, the vomiting began.  I called his doctor and went about my day cooking and taking care of him.  I went to check on Brian, and he grabbed his back, saying it hurt.  Instinctively, I thought it was his kidneys.  I called 911.

I went in the room to tell Brian help was coming and he said, “Mom, I can’t breathe.”  It was then that my son quit breathing.  I called 911 and began CPR, but my baby was gone.  My heart was broken, my life forever changed.  The official cause of death was dehydration due to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.

Marijuana changed my life.  Now I’m on a mission to raise awareness, By Regina Denney