A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates a rise in diagnosed cases of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition characterized by severe vomiting and abdominal pain linked to marijuana use. The data show that emergency department visits involving the syndrome have increased among adolescents and young adults, potentially appearing earlier in a user's history than previously documented.
CHS, often referred to by the colloquial term "scromiting" due to the intense pain-induced screaming and vomiting it causes, was first identified in Australia two decades ago. While health experts historically associated the condition with long-term, daily cannabis use, emerging evidence suggests symptoms can develop within the first year of use. Medical professionals, including Dr. Sam Torbati of Cedars-Sinai, noted that higher-potency cannabis products with elevated THC concentrations may contribute to this accelerated onset.
The CDC report found that from January 2023 to September 2025, patients aged 15 to 24 had the highest average proportion of monthly emergency department visits at approximately 10 per 10,000. Following the introduction of a specific diagnostic code by the World Health Organization (WHO) in October, this rate rose to nearly 39 per 10,000. In comparison, the national average rate for all age groups was 3.19 per 10,000 during the 2023-2025 period, rising to nearly 12 per 10,000 after the WHO update.
For the individual user, the condition manifests in three phases: an initial prodromal phase of morning nausea and belly pain that can last for years; a hyperemetic phase of intense, recurring vomiting; and a recovery phase where symptoms disappear only after the complete cessation of cannabis use. Patients often experience significant physical distress and may face high medical bills from unnecessary testing, such as CT scans or ultrasounds, if they do not provide accurate drug use histories. Medical providers state that hot baths or showers are one of the few ways patients find temporary relief from the discomfort before seeking professional care.
The increase in reported cases sets a precedent for how public health agencies track cannabis-related illnesses as legalization continues. The CDC report suggests that previous assessments may have underestimated the syndrome's public health impact. While the long-term cure remains total abstinence from cannabinoid products, the CDC and researchers are calling for continued surveillance and public education. Future efforts are expected to focus on the role of high-potency THC and hemp-derived products in triggering the condition. Health officials have not yet reported specific upcoming legislative deadlines, but they emphasized that further surveillance is necessary to understand evolving methods of use, such as vaping.