Redmond man shares story of marijuana struggles

Getting high was the center of 32-year-old Redmond resident Jacob Hayes’ life for 12 years, although at first he didn’t realize it.

“I wasn’t scared that I was going to become addicted to marijuana, I didn’t even think that was really possible,” Hayes said Tuesday.

But back when he was 18, smoking a bowl was an everyday activity — usually all day long.

“It controlled everything I did,” Hayes said. “I’m here to say I was 100 percent addicted to weed.”

Health experts NewsChannel 21 spoke with said they have the research and reports to back Hayes up.

Deschutes County Behavioral Health Medical Director Hal Sexton said just like any drug, becoming addicted to marijuana is more real than you might think. Especially if your brain is still developing.

“The risk of becoming a chronic user or dependent on the drug, if you start in adolescence, is about one in six,” Sexton said.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports about 17 percent of teens who use marijuana will become addicted, compared to 9 percent of adults.

Drug Policy Institute Director Kevin Sabet said he worries Oregon’s legal adult recreational use will trickle down to teens.

“When it’s normalized and accepted, and when parents think it’s less of a big deal, then you have more kids use,” Sabet said.

In Deschutes County, attitudes are already shifting. In 2010, 54 percent of teens surveyed said marijuana use is risky. This year, that number shrunk to just under 40 percent.

Sexton said frequent adolescent use goes much farther than addiction.

“It seems to affect how the brain connects,” Sexton said. “There’s considerable evidence that there can be permanent changes if you start smoking as an adolescent.”

Hayes said after several rounds of struggles to quit, he’s now been clean for about three years.

“I didn’t want to be that person any more,” Hayes said. “I stopped achieving things. I stopped trying.”

Looking back, Hayes said those years of abuse are hazy. His biggest regret is the memories he lost on the last family trip before he lost his mother to cancer.

“I remember stepping onto the hotel porch and smoking a bowl. I remember we went to a play — I couldn’t tell you what it was — but I remember ducking out halfway through to smoke a bowl. But I don’t have any memories of our moments together.”

Hayes said his focus now is moving forward and creating new memories drug-free, confident he can beat the drug that almost beat him.

Hayes also said he does not oppose the legalization of adult recreational use of marijuana. He said his biggest message is to share his story of addiction to marijuana and to show that recovery is possible.

The Deschutes County Health Department has set aside more than $100,000 to combat teen marijuana use. Sexton said that money will be used for an intervention program to be launched at schools next fall.