Medical marijuana may be making some patients sicker

Doctors in Michigan say medical marijuana, often prescribed to combat nausea, can cause patients to become ill if used for extended periods of time. Patients may begin to suffer from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which causes abdominal cramping, vomiting and an overwhelming urge for a hot shower, the Detroit Free Press reported. "Marijuana typically causes the munchies, right? This is the anti-munchies," said Susan Smolinske, managing director at the Children's Hospital of Michigan Regional Poison Control Center. Poison control officials in Michigan have responded to at least five calls since mid-May about marijuana users being severely nauseous and vomiting, Smolinske said. The condition is rare. Clinicians at the Kalamazoo-based Michigan Holistic Health said they have not seen one case of cannabinoid hyperemesis among their 13,000 clients who use medical marijuana. Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, based in Washington, said the syndrome may be caused by a malfunction of the patient's internal system, not the marijuana itself.