Case Series and a Review of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Cannabis is a widely used drug of abuse in the United States (US) with over 16.7 million users reported in 2009 [1]. Known for its psychedelic effects, it is mostly commonly abused by young individuals. Cannabis is also utilized by the medical field for a number of medicinal purposes, some of which have been well known for centuries. Most recently, the role of Cannabis as a medicinal agent has led to debates within several states about its legalization for non-medicinal or recreational use [2]. As of January 2014, Colorado became the first state to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Chronic cannabis users who are exposed to its active chemical ingredient, Δ9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), develop addiction at an early age. Many quit its use, but those who continue its use can sometimes develop certain unusual illnesses. One such condition known to us is the “Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome” (CHS), first described in 2004 by Allen and colleagues [3].