Brian Fuller (2002 – 2021)

I wish I could go back and change my mindset.

My son, Brian Fuller, committed suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound on October 15th, 2021.  When investigating what could have caused my sweet boy to go to this extreme, I was shocked to uncover that Brian had been smoking Delta-8 THC carts along with high amounts of Delta-9 marijuana.

Brian was always a fun-loving kid, and he worked hard at the young age of 19.  He loved his family dearly and especially his sisters and niece.  But because I traveled for work, I was always away and did not realize how badly Brian’s mental status was changing due to the marijuana and Delta-8 carts (slang term for cartridges).  My daughter had voiced concerns but none that alerted me to think Brian was at risk of harming himself or others.                                                                                                                                                                                   Brian stated to a manager at his job that he was losing track of time and was having blackouts.  He also stated he had a firearm and was suicidal.  This was never reported to his emergency contact or to the police.  Brian spoke to his manager two days before he took his own life.  I spoke to Brian the night before.  He stated he had met with a girl from work, who we later found out was his drug dealer.

Brian also had written a note, saying he was hearing voices telling him it was okay to kill himself and not to be afraid.  Brian had childhood depression, but he never complained of hearing voices and had never been diagnosed with schizophrenia.  In my research, I found that one of the side effects of Delta-8 THC is hallucinations along with psychosis, loss of time, and even blackouts.

I’m here to tell Brian’s story and raise awareness that it isn’t just Delta-9 marijuana that can harm your child.  Delta-8 can do so as well—it did so to my son.