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 (113)
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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 Heitzabout a year 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 Heitzabout a year 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
Colorado medical weed card well worth money, effort
For my first few years in Colorado, people told me it’s not worth getting a medical marijuana card here. They reasoned weed is widely available recreationally and relatively cheap. Why spend $100 or more and up to an hour of your time to get a medical card?
By David Heitz4 years ago in Potent
Panhandling is a job. Here's what it pays
People who panhandle take it very seriously. Especially the ones who are good at it. Many consider it a full-time job. I know this because I experienced homelessness in 2019 and knew lots of people who panhandled. I never did it. Not once. I did not have the guts.
By David Heitz4 years ago in Journal
