JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(9):e2125063. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.25063
Question Has the number of vomiting-related emergency department visits increased after recreational cannabis legalization in Colorado?
Findings In this cross-sectional study of 820 778 patients seeking care through Colorado emergency departments, cannabis legalization was associated with an increase in annual vomiting-related health care encounters. The highest increases were observed in counties without existing medical dispensaries.
Meaning These findings suggest that health care clinicians in states that have legalized cannabis should be aware of symptoms associated with cannabis hyperemesis syndrome; documentation may help ensure accurate public health surveillance on consequences associated with cannabis legalization.
Abstract
Importance Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is an emerging clinical issue associated with cannabis use. Legalization of cannabis has led to an increase in vomiting-related illnesses in health care settings.
Objective To examine whether legalization of cannabis in Colorado has been associated with increases in vomiting-related emergency department (ED) visits.
Results Vomiting-related ED health care encounters increased from 119 312 in 2013 to 153 699 in 2018 (29% increase). Over this period, 203 861 patients (25%) were aged 0 to 18 years; 114 201 (14%) were aged 19 to 25 years, and 502 771 (61%) were aged 26 years or older; 510 584 patients (62%) were female. Additional recreational dispensaries were associated with increased vomiting-related ED visits (incidence rate ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.05), but counties with high baseline medical dispensary exposure experienced smaller increases in vomiting-related ED visits than counties with no baseline medical dispensary exposure (incidence rate ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99). Counties with a high number of medical marijuana dispensaries had increases at a 5.8% slower rate than counties with none.
Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this study suggest that cannabis legalization in Colorado is associated with an increase in annual vomiting-related health care encounters with regard to exposure to these markets. It may be useful for health care clinicians to be aware of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome and inquire about cannabis use when appropriate.
For complete research https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2784270?resultClick=3
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