marijuana edibles killed by son

Reginald vs Reefer Madness: Marijuana killed my Son!

https://cbn.com/news/us/family-marijuana-edibles-caused-sons-death

When it comes to cannabis, most folks find themselves riding a pleasant wave of relaxation, creativity, or euphoria. It's like a gentle massage for your mind, leaving you giggling at the cosmos or pondering the deeper meaning of your favorite snack food. However, as with any substance that alters our perception, there's always a small group of individuals who might find themselves paddling in choppy waters.

Now, let's be clear: the vast majority of reported negative incidents with cannabis tend to involve either edibles or high-potency dabs. It's like comparing a sip of beer to chugging a bottle of whiskey – the dosage and delivery method matter, folks. But here's where things get sticky, like resin on your fingers after rolling a particularly juicy joint.

The million-dollar question we need to ask is this: Can we really blame cannabis for the actions of its users? It's a bit like blaming your car for getting a speeding ticket. Sure, the vehicle made it possible, but who was pressing the gas pedal? In some cases, the law seems to think we can pin the blame on the plant. But today, we're going to take a closer look at a specific case that's more sobering than a cold shower after a heavy session.

We're diving into the story of a man who tragically took his own life, and a family who's pointing the finger squarely at cannabis. Now, I know what you're thinking – this is heavy stuff for old Reginald. But fear not, dear readers. My goal here isn't to make light of a terrible situation, but to dismantle the emotional reaction and provide some much-needed context. But more importantly, how the media decided to frame this story, installing a pre conceived notion in your head prior to even reading the article.

By the time we're done, we'll have peeled back the layers of this complex issue like the wrapper on a particularly stubborn edible. We'll lay the burden of responsibility where it truly belongs – on the individual making the choices. So, strap in, light up (if that's your thing), and let's separate the stems and seeds from the truth in this modern-day tale of Reefer Madness.

The Death of Luke

Picture this: A young man named Luke Goodman, fresh out of Oral Roberts University, decides to spice up his Colorado ski trip with a little green adventure. He and his cousin legally purchase $78 worth of cannabis gummies, each packing a 10mg THC punch. Now, Luke, bless his heart, decides to go all-in. He pops not one, not two, but five of these gummies – that's fifty milligrams of THC, folks. Talk about shooting for the moon!

Fast forward a few hours, and Luke's family describes him as "jittery" and "incoherent." His cousin even said it was like "something else was speaking through him." Spooky stuff, right? The family, in their infinite wisdom, decides to leave Luke alone in the condo. Shortly after, Luke tragically takes his own life with a handgun he carried for protection.

Now, here's where things get sticky. The family, understandably devastated, points the finger squarely at cannabis. "He was the happiest guy in the world," they say. "It was 100 percent the drugs." The article even throws in a couple more cannabis-related incidents for good measure, painting a picture darker than the inside of a bong.

Let's pump the brakes for a second. Anyone who's danced with Mary Jane knows that edibles can pack a serious punch. "Greening out" is a real thing, and it's about as fun as a root canal. I've been there myself, feeling like I'm on a cosmic rollercoaster with no seatbelt. It's scary, it's intense, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart.

But here's the kicker – in all my years of toking, through every paranoid thought and couch-lock episode, taking my own life has never crossed my mind. And I'm not alone. Thousands of people have similar experiences without reaching for the nearest firearm.

So, what made Luke different? Why was he traveling with a handgun for protection? These are the questions we should be asking. If you're packing heat on a ski trip, there's already a certain mindset at play.

And let's talk about the family for a second. If Luke was acting so out of character, why leave him alone? I'm not trying to point fingers here, but if someone's acting like they're possessed by the ghost of Bob Marley, maybe stick around and make sure they're okay?

Now, I'm not saying cannabis played no role. Fifty milligrams of THC is no joke, especially for a novice. But to lay the blame entirely at Mary Jane's feet? That's like blaming the ocean for a shipwreck without considering the captain's actions.

The truth is, we can't know what was going on in Luke's mind. Suicide doesn't happen in a vacuum, no matter how much weed you've consumed. I've been in some pretty far-out situations in my youth, but self-harm was never on the menu, even when the walls were melting from too much LSD.

Yes, substances can alter our perceptions. Yes, a green-out can be intense. But we can't ignore the other factors at play here. The gun, the family's actions, Luke's underlying mental state – these all deserve consideration.

But here's the real kicker – the way the media frames this story. It's not just sad; it's downright irresponsible. But we'll dive into that juicy tidbit in the next segment.

How the Media Portrays This

Now, folks, let's take a moment to acknowledge the tragedy here. Luke's passing is no laughing matter, and my heart goes out to his grieving family. Losing a loved one is never easy, especially under such perplexing circumstances.

But hold onto your hats, because we're about to dissect some media malarkey that's more twisted than a pretzel at a cannabis convention. Take a gander at that headline: "Family: Marijuana Edibles Caused Son's Death." Well, slap my face and call me Sally! You'd think those gummies grew arms, legs, and a sinister mustache before forcing poor Luke to pull the trigger.

Let's be crystal clear here: Luke tragically took his own life with a handgun. The edibles didn't sprout opposable thumbs and squeeze the trigger. They didn't whisper sweet nothings of self-destruction into his ear. And they certainly didn't force-feed themselves to him like some cannabis-infused Thanksgiving turkey.

Now, I'm not saying the edibles played no role. But let's face it, Luke made a choice – a misinformed, overzealous choice – to consume five times the recommended dose. That's like chugging a bottle of whiskey because you didn't feel tipsy after the first shot. It's not smart, but it's not the whiskey's fault either.

But you wouldn't know any of this from that clickbait headline, would you? Nope, you'd think those innocent little gummies turned into the Grim Reaper himself. This, my friends, is how Reefer Madness 2.0 works its insidious magic.

See, the media knows most folks won't read past the headline. They'll see "Marijuana Edibles Caused Son's Death" and suddenly every pot brownie becomes a potential murderer. It's like blaming forks for making people fat – it misses the point entirely and absolves personal responsibility.

This is the kind of sneaky sensationalism we need to combat. Sure, Luke's death may have been influenced by his cannabis consumption, but to lay the blame squarely at Mary Jane's feet? That's more unbalanced than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest.

The truth, as always, is more nuanced than any headline can capture. But nuance doesn't sell papers or generate clicks, does it? No, sir. What sells is fear, and nothing stokes fear quite like the specter of a killer plant.

The Sticky Bottom Line

Next time you see a headline that makes cannabis sound like the boogeyman, remember old Reginald's words: The devil's in the details, and the truth is usually hiding somewhere around paragraph three. Stay skeptical, stay informed, and for Pete's sake, follow the recommended dosage. This has been Reginald Reefer, reminding you that the only thing higher than me should be your standards for journalism.