In recent weeks, media outlets from Fox 8 to CNN have turned up the volume on stories about Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), a rare but very real condition tied to chronic cannabis use. The coverage is loud, graphic, and alarmist. What it isn’t? Balanced.
Let’s be clear: CHS exists. It’s a documented medical syndrome involving cyclical vomiting and abdominal pain, most often found in heavy, long-term cannabis users. Many patients report compulsive use of hot showers or baths to relieve symptoms, a distinctive behavioral pattern that helps doctors identify the condition.
It was first identified in Australia in 2004 and recognized by the World Health Organization in 2025 with its own diagnostic code: R11.16. This will help improve clinical recognition and reduce misdiagnosis. That’s a win.
But in the same breath, let’s say something else, just as clearly: the media hype around CHS is spiraling into Reefer Madness 2.0. And this time, it comes with a new buzzword: scromiting.
A Rare Condition, Packaged as Crisis
The facts? CHS is uncommon. According to JAMA Network Open, emergency department visits for CHS rose during the pandemic, but even at their peak, they accounted for only 33.1 cases per 100,000 visits. It disproportionately affects people who use high-potency THC products multiple times daily, not the average cannabis consumer.
But you wouldn’t know that from headlines like “Mysterious marijuana-linked vomiting disorder gets official WHO code as ER cases jump” (Fox News), or “‘Scromiting,’ a bizarre condition linked to chronic marijuana use, is on the rise” (CNN), which pair dramatic anecdotes with foreboding language, often with little statistical context. Fox claimed ER cases had “surged 650%” without mentioning that most were easily treatable, non-lethal, and occurred in a narrow user population.
Scromiting Sells, Science Doesn’t
The term scromiting (screaming + vomiting) wasn’t coined by doctors: it originated on Reddit and TikTok. But news outlets have latched onto it because it’s lurid, clickable, and easy to sensationalize. And it’s working. Stories about CHS are trending, boosted by local affiliates and national newsrooms alike. Meanwhile, context takes a backseat.
Take this CNN piece, which paints a terrifying picture but fails to clearly state that CHS rarely results in hospitalization and has never been linked to a confirmed death in the medical literature.
The effect? Readers (and regulators) walk away believing cannabis is triggering a mysterious, life-threatening illness sweeping ERs. It’s not.
Follow the Money, Even If You Can’t Prove the Receipt
Is Big Pharma or Big Alcohol directly funding this CHS media blitz? We can’t say for sure. What we can say is that pharmaceutical companies spent over $5 billion on TV advertising in 2024, and networks like CNN and Fox receive a significant share of that revenue. In fact, CNN itself noted that cutting pharma ad time could “cripple” its operations.
When nearly every CHS news segment is sandwiched between ads for Zoloft, Ozempic, or Biktarvy, we’re allowed to ask: who benefits from amplifying cannabis harm narratives?
We also know that pharmaceutical and alcohol companies have historically lobbied against cannabis legalization. In 2016, opioid manufacturer Insys Therapeutics donated $500,000 to defeat adult-use cannabis in Arizona. More recently, the Distilled Spirits Council and pharmaceutical firms like Jazz Pharma have lobbied on cannabis regulatory issues in 2025.
So even without a smoking gun, the pattern is familiar: legal weed expands, cannabis replaces pills and booze, and suddenly the media discovers a new syndrome with a terrifying name.
The Right Way to Talk About CHS
CHS deserves real clinical attention. It is not a hoax, and those suffering from it shouldn’t be dismissed. But we need to talk about it the same way we talk about rare alcohol-related conditions or drug side effects: with proportionality, not panic.
That means:
- Not pretending it’s common.
- Not suggesting that all cannabis use is risky.
- Not reviving prohibition-era scare tactics under a new name.
For now, there is no large-scale evidence that casual or occasional cannabis use leads to CHS. What does increase risk? High-frequency, high-potency consumption over time. That’s the kind of nuance missing from most headlines.
High Times Stands for Truth, Not Hysteria
We’ve covered CHS thoughtfully. We acknowledge it’s real. But we also know it’s rare. And we refuse to let it become a tool of reefer-madness-style misinformation.
So next time you see a local news anchor warning you about “scromiting,” ask yourself: are they reporting science, or selling fear?
And if you’re looking for facts, not fear? You’re already in the right place.
Photo: Ellie Burgin via Pexels
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and editorial purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, consult a qualified healthcare provider.
