Cannabis Vomiting Syndrome ER Visits Surge, Highest Among Women and Ages 15 to 24

Higher-potency cannabis has been associated with continued and more frequent use among adolescents and young adults.

Published: 8/24/2026, 4:28:39 PM EDT

Cannabis Vomiting Syndrome ER Visits Surge, Highest Among Women and Ages 15 to 24 — Heavy users of marijuana are at risk of developing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome which causes episodes vomiting. (Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images)

Emergency room visits involving a severe vomiting syndrome linked to frequent cannabis use were recorded at nearly four times their previous rate, with the highest rate among people ages 15 to 24, according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) causes episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is sometimes called “scromiting,” a term combining screaming and vomiting.

The condition received its own medical diagnosis code in October 2025. Before that, researchers tracked suspected cases using broader diagnosis codes for vomiting and cannabis-related conditions.

CDC researchers identified 199,565 CHS-related emergency room visits from January 2023 through May 2026. The analysis included 3,636 emergency departments that consistently reported data during the entire period.

CHS was identified in about three of every 10,000 emergency room visits in September 2025. The rate climbed to about 11 per 10,000 in October when a diagnosis code for the condition became available.

From October 2025 through May 2026, CHS was identified in an average of nearly 12 of every 10,000 emergency room visits. That was about 3.7 times the earlier monthly average of roughly three per 10,000 visits, according to the CDC data.

People ages 15 to 24 had the highest recorded rate, at nearly 39 CHS-related visits per 10,000 emergency room visits. Women had a slightly higher rate than men.

“Trends in cannabis use might be contributing to the increasing prevalence and recognition of CHS,” the CDC report states. “The prevalence of past-month and daily or near daily cannabis use has been increasing, particularly among young adults and females.”

THC concentrations in cannabis products have also increased over time, according to the CDC. Higher-potency cannabis has been associated with continued and more frequent use among adolescents and young adults. Frequent use is considered the main risk factor for CHS, according to researchers.

A separate 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) identified 4,571 CHS-related emergency room visits among patients ages 13 to 21 by looking at 48 children’s hospitals from 2016 through 2023. The rate at those hospitals increased more than tenfold during the study period, and the median patient age was 17.

Researchers said the high rates among younger patients might be connected to people beginning cannabis use at younger ages, using it more frequently, consuming high-potency THC products, vaping or dabbing, and viewing cannabis as less risky.

Hot showers or baths may temporarily relieve symptoms, but stopping cannabis use offers the best-supported path to lasting relief, according to a review published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology. Repeated vomiting can cause severe dehydration and acute kidney injury, according to the medical review. CHS has also been associated with death in rare cases, according to the CDC.

“These findings highlight the need for increased awareness of CHS among clinicians and the public, but further educational efforts might be needed to prevent the cause of CHS: cannabis use,” the CDC report states. “They also emphasize the importance of implementing evidence-based strategies to prevent cannabis use initiation and mitigate the consequences of cannabis use.”