On May 29, 2024, Ribera Law Firm and co-counsel filed an injury lawsuit in California Superior Court against STIIIZY IP, LLC over allegations that teen use of the company’s cannabis products, promoted by STIIIZY to teenagers without sufficient warnings, are causing teen cannabis-induced psychosis cases to skyrocket across the U.S.
Cannabis-induced psychosis cases have spiked in recent years amid the legalization and proliferation of high-potency cannabis concentrates and vaping products. In California emergency rooms, visits for cannabis-induced psychosis rose 54% from 2016 to 2019 as legal cannabis markets opened.
The DSM-5 categorizes cannabis-induced psychotic disorder as a substance-induced psychotic disorder presenting distinct features, including sudden mood swings and paranoid symptoms emerging within a week, occasionally within just 24 hours of cannabis consumption.
The use of these cannabis products is especially dangerous for teenagers and young adults as their developing minds are more susceptible to serious mental health outcomes. Using deceptive marketing tactics, cannabis manufacturers have promoted high-potency THC vape pens and cartridges to teenagers without sufficient warning of the possibility of severe cannabis-induced psychosis.
As alleged in a new complaint filed by Ribera Law Firm and co-counsel, plaintiff John Doe at age 15 was an honor student and star athlete until he began using STIIIZY products. STIIIZY products were advertised with only positive effects; however, after Doe used these high-potency products, he suffered from cannabis-induced psychosis.
Doe experienced hallucinations, hysteria, and agitation, requiring extended hospitalization, treatment in a psychiatric ward, and antipsychotic medications. The cannabis products created by STIIIZY caused lasting psychotic delusions for months after use, and he continues to cope with personality changes, brain fog, and other mental health challenges and risks.
Contact a Lawyer at Ribera Law Firm
If you or a family member have experienced psychosis or other mental illness that you believe is related to underage use of marijuana and cannabis, we urge you to contact a lawyer at Ribera Law Firm today about your rights and potential recovery. There is no fee or obligation for our review of your case, and the information you provide will help us hold cannabis distributors accountable for their role in making these potentially dangerous drugs available to underage users.