Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS, is an illness that wasn’t even recognized until 15 years ago.
Now doctors are becoming increasingly more familiar with the sickness that causes people who smoke marijuana heavily to vomit up to 30 times a day.
Clinical toxicologist, Joe Spillane tolf Action News Jax there has been a large uptick in CHS cases in states where medical marijuana is legal.
“In Colorado the cases of this have roughly doubled since effective medical marijuana use began back in 2009," he said. "So they’ve seen roughly a doubling of CHS cases there.”
According to Spillane, you can expect to see the same trend in Florida as the use and potency of pot increases. “If you’re vomiting 30 times a day you can’t do much else," he explains. "So, it absolutely can be debilitating.”
Symptoms will typically go away within days but then return months later. Symptoms of the illness could cause fluid and electrolyte disturbances and eventually kidney failure.
Spillane said taking an extremely hot shower or bath helps control the vomiting, but stopping marijuana usage is the only thing that will stop the cycle.
Florida’s legalization of the drug could mean additional training for doctors so they are better equipped to diagnose and deal with CHS.