As marijuana use becomes increasingly mainstream in the United States, with legalization sweeping across states and a booming $33 billion industry, the perception of cannabis as a safe, nonaddictive substance is proving dangerously misguided for some. A recent New York Times investigation highlights the rising health risks associated with high-potency marijuana products and chronic use, which are far from benign for many users.
The widespread legalization of marijuana has coincided with an alarming increase in severe health issues, including psychosis, paranoia, and delusions. Physicians nationwide are also reporting growing cases of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)—a condition marked by debilitating nausea and vomiting—as well as cannabis-induced psychosis, which can trigger both temporary and chronic mental health disorders. Tragically, marijuana use has even been linked to fatalities. Experts estimate that up to six million near-daily cannabis users may suffer from CHS, while nearly one-third of daily users, especially young adults, meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder.
CHS stems from marijuana’s interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network that regulates vital functions like sleep, digestion, and pain. For some users, chronic marijuana use disrupts this system, causing severe symptoms that often require emergency care. Unfortunately, misdiagnoses are common, with patients sometimes undergoing unnecessary surgeries or enduring years of untreated suffering before receiving a proper diagnosis.
This growing crisis underscores critical gaps in public health education and cannabis industry accountability. Few state health agencies include CHS in their outreach efforts, and many dispensaries fail to warn consumers about the risks of heavy or prolonged use. As regulations remain inconsistent and public health messaging limited, many users are left in the dark about these dangers, prolonging their suffering and delaying appropriate treatment.
Recognizing the need for urgent action, experts emphasize the importance of balanced policies, stronger consumer protections, and robust public health education. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicinerecently released a report, Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity, which underscores the lack of federal guidance and the resulting disparities in public health protections across states. The report calls for enhanced federal leadership, a stronger research agenda, and better surveillance systems to minimize public health harms while addressing health equity.
As cannabis becomes more accessible and its potency increases, the need for greater public awareness and better medical training is more pressing than ever. For individuals like Illinois hairdresser Jennifer Macaluso, who endured years of CHS symptoms before receiving a diagnosis, the message is clear: “People need to know. They’ve just got to be warned.”