Andy Zorn (1982 – 2014)

Andy Zorn was born in 1982 and had a joyful life, easily making and keeping friends.  It was his mission to make his friends and family laugh and to have a good time, and he was GOOD at it.  But it all began to get harder for him to do as he became a teen and thought he had to participate in drinking and drugs to fit in. 

Andy took his own life in 2014 at age 31.  He suffered from severe Cannabis Use Disorder and had previous diagnoses of depression, anxiety, OCD, BPD, PTSD, and Bipolar disorder, none of which he suffered from prior to his heavy marijuana use.  In fact, he completed three years of active duty in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division including a tour of duty in Iraq.  He had been a paratrooper. 

After his military service, he had various jobs and earned an Associates Degree. For a time, he functioned at a rather high level, and his journey downward had been gradual rather than sudden. He had a medical marijuana card. His mom, Sally Schindel, has written and spoken publicly about Andy and his marijuana addiction.

During the last week of his life, he told his mother, father, and social worker that he had to quit using marijuana in order to live, but he was unable to do so.  He was addicted.  He could not quit.  When he tried, he had nightmares.

One of his doctors noted in his records, “Andy is a kind and gentle man.  He is an honorable man.  Andy is a smart man with goals and the skills to make them happen.  Andy has a great smile and people are comfortable around him.” 

But the marijuana addiction gained control over him.  He isolated himself, avoided his friends and family, quit jobs, and disappointed himself over and over.

Andy’s final note read, “I will only get worse. My soul is already dead. Marijuana killed my soul + ruined my brain.  I am doing everyone a favor.”