UofTMed Alum: A View of Cannabis in the Community
About 10 years ago, people began showing up at our hospital emergency department with repeated vomiting.
None of the standard anti-vomiting medications would work, and we couldn’t figure out what was going on. So these patients ended up getting a battery of tests — endoscopies, CT scans. I even heard of gallbladders being removed.
Finally, we came across research that explained the cause: cannabis.
What we were seeing was a recently identified diagnosis called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome — severe and continuous vomiting related to long-term use of cannabis. And we were happy to learn that there is an effective medication — especially now that we’re seeing more and more cases of this.
Whenever I tell these patients that their vomiting is related to their cannabis use, though, they typically don’t believe it.
Only occasionally will patients seem intent on quitting cannabis. I remember one young woman who was surprised and thrilled to have an explanation after years of these episodes. She thanked me, and told me she planned to stop using the drug.
I know a lot of people use marijuana recreationally — and perhaps more will do so when it’s legalized across the country. If people decide that this is what they want to do for fun, that’s really out of my purview.
But then others insist they take cannabis for medical reasons and don’t necessarily recognize any of the negative effects. While I’m not involved in prescribing medical marijuana as an emergency doctor — I realize there are two or three conditions where it’s been shown to have therapeutic value. But there are major harms as well, which can include impaired memory and learning, misuse disorders and even psychosis.
With all of the confusion around cannabis, I find it upsetting when people think what’s healing them, is often hurting them.
Dr. Lloyd Gordon, MD ’76, is a physician at the Humber River Hospital’s emergency department.
The next issue of UofTMed magazine delves into the health implications of cannabis. Join the conversation by writing us your thoughts on cannabis, or coming to our June 2 UofTMed Inside the Issue panel discussion.
