Buzz
Mainstream media often highlights sensational cannabis stories—like Maureen Dowd’s infamous edible experience or police warnings about cannabis-laced Halloween candies. While supporters dismiss these as exaggerated, even the most ardent cannabis advocates acknowledge that there are times when using cannabis may not be advisable due to health and safety concerns.
While cannabis is generally considered safe for both medical and recreational use, there are important facts to be aware of that go beyond sensationalized headlines and fear-mongering.
Recall the widespread concern over the “vaping illness” outbreak?
Before COVID-19 dominated the health landscape, the media was fixated on what was labeled a vaping epidemic—a surge of lung injuries among patients who used THC cartridges, often from unregulated sources. These products caused lipid pneumonia and severe lung damage as oily substances were inhaled and adhered to lung tissue, leading to numerous fatalities. This condition became known as EVALI—e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury.
The CDC reports that EVALI has resulted in 68 deaths and nearly 3000 hospitalizations, primarily linked to homemade vapes containing Vitamin E acetate. “Vitamin E acetate is strongly associated with the EVALI outbreak,” states a CDC report. “It has been detected in product samples tested by the FDA and state labs, as well as in lung fluid samples from patients across various states.”
Although the peak of the crisis has subsided, EVALI cases continue to emerge. As Melissa Pandika noted in Mic earlier this year, “The vaping crisis persists...Vaping still causes lung injuries, even if they don’t always lead to hospitalization, and may contribute to more insidious, long-term diseases that take years to manifest.”
While these lung injuries aren’t directly caused by cannabis plant compounds, the frequent recalls of even lab-tested products due to contamination highlight that vaping cannabis isn’t entirely “risk-free.” However, the growing regulation of cannabis products through legalization is expected to enhance safety standards.
Reports of uncontrollable vomiting linked to cannabis use are not just urban legends
Supporters of cannabis legalization often find themselves in a dilemma when discussing the potential risks of the drug—these concerns tend to dominate headlines and spark controversy. Individuals who face problems due to their cannabis use are frequently criticized by the cannabis community, even if they remain generally supportive of legalization.
One such individual is Alice Moon, a publicist and cannabis influencer who has abstained from cannabis for three years after developing Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome, a condition characterized by severe, uncontrollable vomiting caused by cannabis use. Moon first encountered this issue in 2016 while working as a budtender, experiencing sudden and intense nausea without an obvious cause.
“After enduring intermittent vomiting for two years and undergoing numerous tests, I was diagnosed by a gastroenterologist in 2018,” she shared with Mytour via email. “I consulted multiple doctors during that time, and eventually, one recognized CHS and suggested it might be the cause.”
Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome manifests similarly to other cyclical vomiting disorders—it begins with a pre-attack phase marked by nausea or abdominal pain, followed by a phase of uncontrollable vomiting (emesis), and then a recovery period before the next episode. As you might expect, it’s an extremely unpleasant condition. During an attack, sufferers are completely incapacitated, and the condition can worsen as episodes become more frequent or severe.
“CHS is a rare but severe condition. At least five deaths have been linked to CHS, resulting from extreme dehydration and organ failure caused by persistent vomiting,” Moon explained.
Individuals with CHS often hesitate to discuss their condition, fearing it might be used as an argument against cannabis legalization—a reflection of the lingering stigma around cannabis. However, Moon emphasizes, “This syndrome needs to be openly discussed, as we’ll likely see more cases of CHS as cannabis legalization expands across states.”
Those affected by CHS, like Moon, want users to be aware of the condition but not fear it. “CHS is rare, so most consumers won’t develop it. However, if you experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, consider taking a three-month break from cannabis to rule it out as the cause. Be honest with your doctor about your cannabis use, and advocate for thorough testing to exclude other potential issues.”
CHS and EVALI are among the possible risks associated with cannabis use, and many of these issues are linked to the quantity consumed. It’s highly unlikely that a single use or occasional consumption will lead to such conditions. Practicing moderation and ensuring access to safe, regulated products are key to minimizing these risks.
Understand your susceptibility to mental health conditions
Avoiding cannabis, even in small amounts, is advisable if you have a predisposition to mental health disorders that can trigger psychosis. Symptoms like hallucinations, paranoia, and cognitive disruptions can be alarming and may signal an underlying condition. While research remains inconclusive, some studies suggest a connection between cannabis use disorder (using cannabis to the point of addiction) and schizoaffective disorders or schizophrenia, though others dispute this link.
We interviewed a cannabis recruitment specialist who experiences troubling psychological symptoms after using cannabis; she requested anonymity to avoid criticism from cannabis advocates.
“Within 20-30 minutes of consuming cannabis, the side effects begin,” she explained. “I’ll have a negative thought, and suddenly, I hear a crowd ‘booing’ as if I’m on stage and my thoughts are being broadcast. Conversely, when I have a positive or encouraging thought, the crowd cheers and says ‘yay.’ Every thought I have is accompanied by either boos or cheers from an imaginary audience—it’s an emotional rollercoaster.”
Due to these experiences, she avoids cannabis entirely. “I’ve discussed this with my therapists, and they aren’t surprised by how cannabis affects my brain,” she shared. “Given that I have a family member with schizophrenia, it’s highly possible that cannabis could trigger similar symptoms in me.”
While some studies suggest a strong connection between cannabis and schizophrenia, others dispute it. Regardless, anyone experiencing such adverse effects should avoid cannabis use altogether.
Reports of negative effects shouldn’t undermine the case for legalization
Both women I interviewed remain actively involved in the movement to normalize cannabis use and promote the cannabis industry as a legitimate career choice—their support is unwavering.
The recruiter firmly supports the medicinal potential of cannabis, even though it doesn’t suit her personally. “I advocate for cannabis because I truly believe it can offer medical benefits to patients,” she explained. “Just because it doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean I doubt its effectiveness for others.”
Moon, on the other hand, hopes for more research to catch up with the current demand, aiming to clarify how the human endocannabinoid system works and, potentially, enable her to use cannabis again in the future.
“I understand that while cannabis isn’t right for me, it benefits millions of people for various reasons,” Moon stated. “My time as a budtender showed me firsthand how cannabis improves the lives of people from all backgrounds. I want everyone to have safe access to cannabis, and I hope a cure for CHS is found someday so I can return to using it as medicine.”
Contaminated products are a major source of certain problems
Contaminated, moldy, or otherwise unsafe products can enter the market through both illegal and legal supply chains. However, only the legal supply chain has a recall system in place to prevent consumers from using harmful products.
As an agricultural product, cannabis can always be cultivated outside regulated channels, and dishonest producers may tamper with products to increase profits—particularly in regions where cannabis is both lucrative and illegal.
While corporate dominance in the cannabis industry is undesirable for most, everyone agrees on the need for clean, safe, and affordable products that don’t pose health risks. Federal legalization could strike a balance by permitting personal cultivation, fostering opportunities for small businesses, and enforcing regulations to eliminate products contaminated with pesticides, fungi, bacteria, or even bird droppings.
Even if something is generally safe, it doesn’t mean it’s risk-free for everyone. Each body reacts differently, and cannabis remains a scientific puzzle. We still don’t fully understand all its chemical components or how they interact with the body. Until we have a complete understanding of its physiological effects—which will require extensive research—there will always be an element of uncertainty and risks to consider before use.
