Cannabis-related ER visits TRIPLED in Colorado after legalization 

Cannabis-related ER visits TRIPLED in Colorado after legalization

  • About 3,300 patients visited the ER at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital related to marijuana in 2012, and nearly 10,000 did in 2016
  • The most common reasons were gastrointestinal symptoms, intoxication, and  acute psychiatric symptoms 
  • ER visits related to edible marijuana were around 11% between 2014 and 2016
  • Researchers say their findings suggest edible cannabis products may be more toxic that marijuana that is smoked or vaped

Cannabis-related emergency room visits tripled in one Colorado hospital after legalization, a new study finds.

Around 3,300 ER visits at an Aurora clinic were related to marijuana in 2012, but a new study found that figure shot up to nearly 10,000 in 2016.

Researchers found there was a particularly sharp increase for the rates of hospitalization following visits associated with edible pot compared to inhalable pot. 

The team, from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, believes that not only will ER visits increase as marijuana becomes more widely available and used in the state, but that its findings suggest edible cannabis products may be more toxic that marijuana that is smoked or vaped. 

A new study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that cannabis-related ER visits tripled in one hospital after legalization from about 3,300 patients in 2012 to nearly 10,000 in 2016 (file image)

In an accompanying editorial by Dr Nora Volkow and Dr Ruben Baler from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, they note the slow rate at which THC is absorbed when it is in edible form. 

‘These findings also underscore the urgent need for greater oversight of manufacturing practices, labeling standards, and quality control of cannabis products marketed to the public,’ they wrote. 

For the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the team looked at patients who visited the ER at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital between 2012 and 2016.

They found that there was a three-fold increase in cannabis-associated visits during  this time period.

About 3,300 patients visited the ER in 2012, when just medical marijuana was legal – but this shot up to nearly 10,000 in 2016, after both medical and recreational pot were legalized.

The most common reason for ER visits was gastrointestinal symptoms including cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which is characterized by severe bouts of vomiting in chronic marijuana users.

Intoxication was the second most common reason and the third most common was  acute psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety or psychosis that needs immediate treatment.

Visits due to edible marijuana exposure made up nearly 11 percent between 2014 and 2016.

Researchers say they were surprised by this because edible cannabis accounted for a mere 0.32 percent of total cannabis sales (in kilograms of THC) in the state during this period. 

The team also found the rate of hospitalization after ER visits was higher for edible cannabis at about 33 percent compared to inhalable cannabis at around 19 percent. 

When users smoke or vape pot, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive compound responsible for the euphoric, ‘high’ feeling often associated with it – is inhaled in the lungs and quickly enters the body.

Therefore, the effects are felt rather quickly and last between two and three hours.

But, when marijuana is eaten in edible form, THC is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and liver, according to American Addiction Centers.

It can take between 30 and 90 minutes for the effects to reach the brain, which means it could be less potent, but last longer – between four and six hours.

American Addiction Centers also states that the liver can ‘change’ THC into a stronger strain. 

Drs Volkow and Dr Baler in their editorial say users may not resume edible doses and, because there are so many products out there, over-consumption.

‘This can be compounded by inaccurate labeling of cannabinoid content (THC or cannabidiol [CBD]) in edible products,’ they wrote. 

They also called for more research into the beneficial and negative effects of THC and CBD depending on how it’s consumed, how many doses are consumed, and the sex, age and body mass index of the user.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk