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Cannabis 'Scromiting' Finally Has Its Own ER Code-and the Numbers Are Higher Than Anyone Realized
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- The average THC content in marijuana has increased from about 4% in the 1990s to approximately 16% today, raising concerns about the health risks associated with more potent cannabis products.
- The CDC reports a 16% rise in emergency room visits related to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition causing severe nausea and vomiting linked to frequent marijuana use, from October 2025 to May 2026.
- CHS, also known as "scromiting," typically affects heavy cannabis users and can lead to serious complications such as kidney injury and electrolyte imbalances; recent data suggest symptoms may develop within the first year of use.
- The increase in CHS cases is notably prominent among young people aged 15 to 24, including teenage girls, young women, Black Americans, and Native Americans, indicating a broader demographic impact than previously thought.
- Researchers suspect that higher-potency cannabis products, vaping, and dabbing may contribute to the rise in CHS cases, alongside earlier initiation of cannabis use and diminished public perception of its risks.
