With more and more states legalizing the use of marijuana in the U.S. and people turning to it as a form of anxiety relief and recreational drug, the daily use of cannabis was higher than ever before in 2022, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
But not a lot of information exists about the allergic reactions to cannabis use or exposure. And yes, you can be allergic to marijuana, just like you can to any other plant or plant product out there, shared Dr. Rachna Patel, an expert in the field of medical cannabis.
The allergic reactions can range from mild to moderate or severe to life-threatening. Symptoms of the allergy can vary too, depending on how you were exposed to the substance, per Medical News Today. There could be differences in how you react when you smoke marijuana and how touching cannabis affects your body.
Signs of a marijuana allergy include respiratory symptoms, skin rashes, vomiting, nausea, and dizziness. They can come on instantly or might not start until after an hour or more since you were exposed. Let’s take a better look at them.
Signs of a marijuana allergy are very similar to any other kind of allergy, according to Dr. Rachna Patel. “It could include things like sore or itchy throat, stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling, red and teary eyes, rash, hives, bronchitis, and asthma,” explained the cannabis expert. Contact dermatitis caused by touching weed can manifest in blisters, hives, itchiness, and inflamed skin, per Medical News Today.
If you have asthma, smoking weed or becoming exposed to it in some other way could trigger a flare-up, per Allergy Asthma Network. “Asthma may be related to occupational exposure, while anaphylactic reactions can often occur from hempseed exposure,” shared an allergist and professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Gordon L. Sussman (via Forbes). Occupational exposure refers to being exposed to cannabis or any of its properties as a result of your work.
More serious signs of an allergic reaction include anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening. You might find it difficult to breathe and feel dizzy if you’re experiencing a severe reaction to cannabis. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include vomiting, flushed or pale skin, swelling in the mouth and throat, a quickened pulse, and a drop in blood pressure, per Medical News Today.
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