Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Other Alleged Impacts of Colorado Pot Legalization

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The Journal of the American Medical Association has published a report penned by three emergency room physicians at the University of Colorado hospital in Aurora about the health-related fallout from marijuana legalization in the state. And while there are some positives to be found in the material, most of the focus is on negative impacts, including an increase in a condition referred to as cyclic vomiting syndrome.


Given the background of report authors Andrew A. Monte, Richard D. Zane and Kennon J. Heard, it’s no surprise that much of the material shared by JAMA focuses on emergency-room data. Here’s one excerpt:

The frequent use of high THC concentration products can lead to a cyclic vomiting syndrome. Patients present with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diaphoresis; they often report relief with hot showers. A small study at 2 Denver-area hospitals revealed an increase in cyclic vomiting presentations from 41 per 113 262 ED visits to 87 per 125 095 ED visits (prevalence ratio, 1.92) after medical marijuana liberalization.

Also cited is a “substantial increase in the number of marijuana-related burns” at the University of Colorado burn center. But the “most concerning health effects” in the wake of marijuana legalization relates to kids, the authors maintain.
Denver Westword has the rest.

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