A MOTHER'S DEAD SON ANTI-POT POSTER BOY

I read Dr. Elizabeth's Osuch's views in Ian Gillespie's column Today's
stronger pot poses real risks (Sept. 27).

I have also read the blog and cannot believe the ridiculous comments
against Osuch.

I'm the mother of a 21-year-old son who smoked pot recreationally. He
did in fact have a psychotic episode to which Osuch refers. It was
something none of us ever could imagine. He ended up in emergency for
six days in a small, guarded room until doctors could give him the
appropriate medication to help with the psychosis.

After that he spent 2 1/2 weeks at Victoria Hospital trying to get
over the effects of his psychotic episode.

My son was a very bright individual with a huge future ahead. A few
months later, he became depressed. In February 2009, he committed suicide.

This is all related to recreational pot usage. So for all of you pot
smokers out there, you're all kidding yourselves.

Osuch is trying to help and relay information to help youths who are
using marijuana as a way to cope. My son did not touch marijuana after
his episode. If he were still alive, he would have been an advocate
against pot smoking.

Julie Varley

London