Randy Bacchus, Jr. (1999-2021)
July 17, 2021, 1:26 AM:
“My attitude with the music and everything has been way too self-righteous. I am done with the music. I’m quitting weed for good and want to surround myself with healthy and happy people. This has been too much for me and for you guys. I have been running from my past mistakes and I think it’s time that I own up and start living a good life. Love you.”
And then just 43 minutes later, he texted:
2:09 AM:
“I love you and am sorry for everything. I love Dad, and the same to him. I wish I would have been a better person.”
He then Googled images of Jesus and put Him as his screen saver on his phone and journaled, “Can I live for Jesus…Can I?” Moments later, he died by suicide at just twenty-one years old. Our time with him was heartbreakingly brief. We didn’t get to create enough memories, and we miss him dearly. If love could have saved him, he would be here.
One might ask, “What happened?”
Randy Michael began using marijuana at the age of fifteen searching for social acceptance. He soon became an advocate for its supposed “healing” properties, and within a year and a half, he was diagnosed with Cannabis Use Disorder at the age of seventeen.
Randy had ADHD and an active mind. He found temporary relief in marijuana and was the biggest proponent of it. With his love of marijuana, he did not acknowledge the extreme potency of today’s products and how they were impacting his developing brain. Unfortunately, we had no idea either of the damage it was causing, we just knew our son was becoming more and more difficult, sad, and isolated.
During his junior year, Randy spent nine weeks in Wilderness Therapy. He experienced personal growth, yet he continued to believe marijuana was beneficial. Like so many, he was misled by an industry profiting from addiction and believed all the industry talking points. He thought marijuana helped his anxiety, depression, sleep, and creativity.
Randy Michael’s struggle with addiction and his belief in the benefits of marijuana prevented him from recognizing the harm it was causing. Eventually, he moved to Colorado, where marijuana is legal, and at the age of 19, he obtained a medical marijuana card. This gave him easy access to high-potency products. His young age, combined with his frequent use of high-potency THC, ultimately led to worsening anxiety, depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts, and, tragically, suicide.
In his last eight months, he was delusional, seeking fame as a rap artist. He often shared songs he liked. One of them, Ordinary Man, included the following line sent a month before he passed:
“Yes, the truth is, I don’t wanna die an ordinary man…”
Randy Michael did not die an “ordinary man.” He was extraordinary all his life, though he didn’t realize it. He left us many gifts in an extraordinary fashion, including video footage and personal journals documenting his heavy use and gradual decline. To prevent others from facing a similar fate, we share his story and encourage youth to Be Extraordinary and to be themselves, as drugs offer only a temporary solution that eventually brings greater harm. To our youth, we proclaim: “Be Extraordinary; Be You!”