You feel warmth starting to pool from the inside of your mouth as soon as you start to move, and your stomach twists dangerously. The room seems to be melting and the almost-constant pain in your abdomen gives a sharp jerk. Knowing what’s about to happen, you rush to the bathroom, throwing up on whatever was left in your stomach. It was the twentieth time today.
This, dear readers, is what has been happening to people who developed cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a condition that heavy marijuana users experience. Marijuana, though not as dangerous as other drugs such as fentanyl and heroin, is easy to develop an addiction to, and is harmful–especially to young adolescents. Marijuana usage is usually legalized at 21 years old or above. However, the increasing accessibility due to more states allowing it can lead teens, who are far underage, down the wrong path.
An article in CNN News, “Uncontrollable Vomiting Due to Marijuana Use On Rise” explained Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, or CHS, which was discovered in 2004 when a report written by a group of Australian researchers mentioned that 19 chronic marijuana users had repeated cases of abdominal pain and retching. Further tracking of 9 of these people revealed that the symptoms were gone when the drug usage was stopped, and returned after relapsing.
So, this is the problem. Teens, too, are suffering from CHS. It’s illegal itself to be using cannabis, and now they are suffering further consequences. This poses a problem. The solution seems quite simple: U.S. States should have a firmer grip on who is legalized to use marijuana, and who isn’t. Between 2005 and 2014, medical marijuana usage was legalized, and a recent 2020 study shows that one out of every five people is hospitalized because of CHS. Thirty-six states, along with the District of Columbia, had legalized marijuana for medical usage. A survey reveals that 60 percent of adults think that medical usage is a good enough reason to legalize marijuana. Dr. Sam Wang, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist and toxicologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, who treats adolescents with the condition, responds to the data that he “hopes people will also take into account the potential dangers of cannabis, especially for the young.”
The control of accessibility of cannabis and marijuana might be the first step to preventing CHS and the consequence of heavy usage—for the adults who are suffering, and for the teens, who are even more affected.
This, dear readers, is what has been happening to people who developed cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a condition that heavy marijuana users experience. Marijuana, though not as dangerous as other drugs such as fentanyl and heroin, is easy to develop an addiction to, and is harmful–especially to young adolescents. Marijuana usage is usually legalized at 21 years old or above. However, the increasing accessibility due to more states allowing it can lead teens, who are far underage, down the wrong path.
An article in CNN News, “Uncontrollable Vomiting Due to Marijuana Use On Rise” explained Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, or CHS, which was discovered in 2004 when a report written by a group of Australian researchers mentioned that 19 chronic marijuana users had repeated cases of abdominal pain and retching. Further tracking of 9 of these people revealed that the symptoms were gone when the drug usage was stopped, and returned after relapsing.
So, this is the problem. Teens, too, are suffering from CHS. It’s illegal itself to be using cannabis, and now they are suffering further consequences. This poses a problem. The solution seems quite simple: U.S. States should have a firmer grip on who is legalized to use marijuana, and who isn’t. Between 2005 and 2014, medical marijuana usage was legalized, and a recent 2020 study shows that one out of every five people is hospitalized because of CHS. Thirty-six states, along with the District of Columbia, had legalized marijuana for medical usage. A survey reveals that 60 percent of adults think that medical usage is a good enough reason to legalize marijuana. Dr. Sam Wang, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist and toxicologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, who treats adolescents with the condition, responds to the data that he “hopes people will also take into account the potential dangers of cannabis, especially for the young.”
The control of accessibility of cannabis and marijuana might be the first step to preventing CHS and the consequence of heavy usage—for the adults who are suffering, and for the teens, who are even more affected.
