New study finds cases of ‘scromiting’ condition tied to cannabis use spike in the US
Cannabis use has expanded across the US as more states allow medical or recreational marijuana. A new national study now says emergency visits for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS, a condition sometimes referred to as “scromiting,” have climbed sharply in recent years. The term is used for severe vomiting episodes linked to repeated cannabis use.
The event
The new study found that CHS-related emergency department visits rose significantly in the US, based on researchers’ review of national health data released in August 2025. Researchers said the condition is marked by repeated vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain in people with ongoing cannabis use. The report identified a clear upward trend as marijuana access expanded across multiple states.
The study focused on cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a condition doctors have increasingly recognized in hospitals and emergency rooms. Researchers said “scromiting” is an informal term used to describe the combination of screaming and vomiting reported in some severe cases. The study did not say every person who uses cannabis will develop CHS.
Researchers tied the rise to a growing number of diagnosed cases in medical settings across the country. The report described the increase as a public health issue because CHS can lead to repeated ER visits, dehydration, and missed diagnosis. The findings add to a larger body of research on the health effects of frequent cannabis use.
State and local impact
The study described the trend as national, with cases increasing across the US rather than in one single region. It confirmed rising emergency visits in states where cannabis use has become more common, but it did not release a full state-by-state breakdown in the material available. That means the exact number of cases in each state is not yet publicly detailed here.
For local hospitals, the findings matter because CHS often sends patients to emergency rooms with symptoms that look like other stomach illnesses. Doctors have said the condition can be difficult to spot unless cannabis use is discussed during treatment. The study did not identify specific hospitals, metro areas, or health systems with the biggest increases.
What is confirmed is that more US patients are being seen for this condition than in earlier years covered by the study. What is not yet known from the released details is which cities or counties saw the fastest growth. Health providers in legal and non-legal states alike may still encounter CHS because cannabis use is not limited to one policy map.
The cause and what it means
Researchers said the increase is tied to cannabis use, especially repeated or heavy use over time. Doctors have long noted that CHS symptoms often improve when cannabis use stops, which has made the connection easier to identify in clinical settings. The study adds another data point as THC potency and product availability have changed in the US market.
The broader context is that marijuana has become more accessible in many parts of the country over the past decade. As legal markets expanded, doctors and researchers have had more opportunities to document side effects that may not have been widely recognized years ago. The study did not suggest banning cannabis, but it did underline the need for awareness among users and clinicians.
For patients, the practical takeaway is that severe recurring vomiting in a regular cannabis user may point to CHS rather than a routine stomach bug. The study says the condition is showing up more often in US emergency departments, and treatment typically starts with recognizing the cannabis link. Researchers said the trend deserves closer monitoring as cannabis use continues across the country.
