Vermont Doctors Report Rise in Cannabis Vomiting Illness
- Emergency department doctors are reporting a rise in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a chronic vomiting illness tied to cannabis use.
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, commonly known as CHS, results in severe cycles of nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain that frequently require emergency medical care.
- The marijuana product that people have smoked for decades and decades and decades -- the percentage of THC has dramatically risen in that product, and the products that...
Emergency department doctors are reporting a rise in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a chronic vomiting illness tied to cannabis use. State health officials and federal reports indicate that emergency room visits and hospital admissions for the condition have climbed significantly over the last decade, coinciding with the broader legalization of recreational marijuana.
Rising Emergency Room Visits and Potency Concerns
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, commonly known as CHS, results in severe cycles of nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain that frequently require emergency medical care. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, cases surged across the United States over the past ten years alongside state-level recreational marijuana legalizations. Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Rick Hildebrant noted that state data mirrors this national trajectory, pointing to modern cannabis products that carry drastically higher concentrations of THC than those available in previous decades.
The marijuana product that people have smoked for decades and decades and decades — the percentage of THC has dramatically risen in that product, and the products that existed in the ’70s are not the same products that people are having today.
Dr. Rick Hildebrant Data from the Vermont Department of Health shows that emergency department visits for cannabis poisoning jumped significantly between 2016 and 2022. During that same six-year period, hospital admissions for poisoning remained relatively stable, but both ER visits and hospital admissions specifically for CHS rose significantly. Health officials observed a distinct spike in CHS emergency room visits between 2017 and 2018, which aligns directly with the timeframe when Vermont legalized recreational marijuana.
Diagnostic Challenges in Clinical Settings
Medical professionals face distinct hurdles when evaluating patients presenting with symptoms of the condition. State health authorities state that CHS is difficult to diagnose because there is no standard test available. Consequently, symptoms are sometimes mistaken for other illnesses, which can complicate timely care for patients suffering from acute episodes of severe vomiting and abdominal pain.