David Heitz
Bio
I am a journalist with 38 years' experience. I write for Potent, Vocal's cannabis blog, and Psyche, where I share stories of living with schizoaffective disorder bipolar one. I have lived in a penthouse and also experienced homelessness.
Stories (116)
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Fentanyl dealers say no to first-time users. Content Warning.
People who deal the drug fentanyl have begun to advise prospective buyers about overdose dangers. Three fentanyl dealers interviewed for this story under the condition of anonymity all said they worry about people overdosing on the drug. “Nobody wants anyone to die,” said one dealer. He said he asks new customers if they have used fentanyl before. If they haven’t, he won’t sell to them.
By David Heitz2 years ago in Criminal
Homeless people suffer sores as xylazine enters fentanyl supply. Content Warning.
A dangerous drug that is being mixed into fentanyl is causing those who inject it to develop a rash of sores that resembles a case of flesh-eating bacteria. People experiencing homelessness around Denver can sometimes be seen with these bloody, weeping wounds. I recently mentioned this phenomenon to a fentanyl user who told me about the xylazine connection.
By David Heitz2 years ago in Psyche
Opinion: Jail alternatives benefit homeless, mentally ill. Content Warning.
(Denver, Colo.) If you live in Denver, you no doubt have seen someone having a mental health crisis in a park. Many people experiencing homelessness utilize city parks as a place to rest during the day without breaking the law.
By David Heitz2 years ago in Psyche
Opinion: Jail, homelessness, mental hospitals: Which is the worst in Denver?. Content Warning.
I recently was part of a discussion about which was worse: Jail or homelessness. I have the qualifications to comment, unfortunately, and I will add a wild card, too: Mental hospitals. I experienced all those things: Being unhoused, going to jail, and spending time in mental hospitals.
By David Heitz2 years ago in Psyche
4/20 one of 365 days per year that I smoke weed
I smoke pot constantly. And it’s a good thing that I do. The plant helps keep my mood stable. I am diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder bipolar one type. I am prone to terrible mood swings, but not when I'm smoking marijuana. My psychiatrist was so pleased with the results she observed from me smoking weed that she took me to get my medical cannabis card.
By David Heitz2 years ago in Potent
Who is Bernie Hanna Butter?
Who is Bernie HannaButter? It’s a cannabis strain but named after which Bernie I’m not sure. There’s a Dr. Bernie Hanna in Las Vegas who’s known for bariatric surgery. I doubt he’s for whom the weed is named. On the other hand, the munchies could indeed lead to gastric bypass.
By David Heitz2 years ago in Potent
What happens when smoking Don Killuminati cannabis strain
Artificial intelligence assisted in the creation of this story. Some people say pot makes them paranoid. But not even Don Killuminati cannabis strain had me second guessing myself. The strain is named after Tupac Shakur’s fifth and final studio album, released in 1996.
By David Heitz3 years ago in Potent
