Welcome to your worst nightmare: after taking a big inhalation of marijuana smoke and you suddenly you start coughing (not in the normal getting-you-high way). First you notice a runny nose, then you begin to feel itchy and your throat starts to close up. You might have found you’ve become more sensitive to the allergens found in cannabis. The question is though, why has this marijuana allergy begun all of the sudden? In this article we’ll debunk a question that many stoners fear:

“Is it possible to have a weed allergy?”

Are Weed Allergies A Common Occurrence?

Attitudes toward cannabis are changing around the globe and with more places legalizing it (The U.S. is making steps to legalization it at the federal level) needless to say there is now more cannabis than ever before. Dr. Purvi Parikh an immunologist at the non-profit Allergy and Asthma Network, actually believes that allergic reactions to cannabis have been underreported because of the legal status of the plant. In his statement on the subject he notes that “Now as the prevalence [of marijuana use] is increasing, and with the legalization in many U.S. states increasing, it is going to become increasingly more common, and all these cases will surface that were not recognized before," Parikh said.

Cannabis Pollen Contains Allergens

Pollen allergies are common and have people around the world dreading things like springtime when most flowers bloom, and cannabis contains pollen like any other plant. A recent report done by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has stated that some people who are involved in the cultivate cannabis for retail, as well as retailers and transportation workers in the medical marijuana industry have reported allergic reactions after handling the marijuana products. It’s pretty safe to assume that it will probably not affect those who smoke cannabis because the plant has already been trimmed and dried by the time it reaches you. That being said just because you are not directly exposed to cannabis pollen that you may not develop an allergy.

There Are Now More Strains Than Ever

Now that cannabis is legal in more areas of the world, there is not only more cannabis, there are now more strains than ever before. Many different compounds are being used to cultivate these new strains. Since people have different reactions to these chemical compounds, you might be allergic to a particular compound used in the strain you are smoking. Switching to a different strain may help in this case.

What Are Some Symptoms Of Weed Allergies?

• Nasal Congestion

• Sore Throat

• Difficulty Breathing

• Itchy Eyes

• Sneezing

• Runny Nose

• Hives & Itchy Skin

• Headaches

Can Weed Cause Allergies To Act Up?

Studies have show that if you already suffer from ailments such as asthma, hay fever or raw fruit and vegetable syndrome, or fruit and vegetable syndrome in general, you‘re more prone to having adverse reactions to cannabis plants. It’s common for those with this condition to feel the same symptoms and allergic reactions from vegetables and fruits with cannabis. The same goes for encountering smoke for those who suffer asthma.

How Can Weed Allergies Be Tested?

In states where access to weed is legal and regulated Cannabis Allergy Testing is available and can be performed to determine if a person is allergic to marijuana plants. Many people who use marijuana may actually be allergic to it. By using pure plant extracts for skin testing doctors can determine wether you have a cannabis allergy. Recent literature published by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology have combined a wealth of research to prove that cannabis allergies are real and potentially deadly.

Allergy and Immunology specialists Dr. Thad Ocampo and Dr. Tonya Rans, recent wrote a paper, focused specifically on allergies to cannabis sativa as well as cannabis indica. Their findings showed that some people who encounter cannabis allergens can present a variety of symptoms ranging from asthma and eczema to conjunctivitis and anaphylaxis.  Dr.’s Ocampo and Rans zeroed in on several different case studies that show how the allergy can manifest. In one case, a 28-year-old was diagnosed with an allergy after suffering repeated sneezing, hives, swollen eyes, and cold-like symptoms when handling marijuana.

What Are The Best Ways To Avoid Weed Allergies?

1. Cannabis Smoke Contains Allergens

As I’m sure you’re aware by now, smoke is an irritant and some people are prone to allergic reactions from it. The smoke produced by the combustion method of using cannabis is just as much of an irritant as smoke from a cigarette. This is why some people prefer to vape their cannabis. It really is better for your lungs.

2. Stay Out Of The Grow Room If You Think You Have A Cannabis Allergy

If you work at a dispensary that has an on-site growing operation (common in states like Colorado), or if your thc-loving friend has a few cannabis plants in a grow room at their house your temptation to check out these beautiful buds as they mature could put you at risk. If possible avoid these areas as Cannabis Pollen will amplify your allergy symptoms in your immune system.

3. Do Not Touch Live OR Dried Marijuana Plant Matter

Contact or touching the plant can result in breaking out in rashes, hives, or swellings called angioedema. side effects such as these can be life threatening, if you experience them when touching cannabis plants please contact your doctor and ask if products such as an epipen could help in a future situation.

4. Cut out edibles (even hempseed) from your cannabis regiment

Beyond being present in cannabis pollen and even the smoke of dried cannabis, research has shown that eating edibles containing marijuana plant matter can trigger an allergic reaction. With this in mind, if it is crucial for your health or well being to consume CBD oil, Tetrahydrocannabinol, or other cannabidiols ask your doctor or local cannabis retailer if there are products you can consume that have do not contain significant amounts of cannabis plant matter. In addition to edibles, even hempseed can put you at risk. The Allergy Asthma & Sinus institute in California has recorded a case involving a patient who went into anaphylactic shock after eating hemp seed-encrusted seafood. The patient passed a subsequent seafood allergy test, leading to doctors to point to the hemp which is a form of cannabis sativa with a lower THC content as the source of the allergy.

What Can I Do To Ease My Allergy Symptoms?

Sure, there are things that you can do to attempt to treat an allergy to cannabis, but first and foremost: if you are experiencing an allergic reaction, you should go see your doctor or allergist as as soon as possible. I am not a trained physician, so I am not giving you medical advice but I have done by best to research and compile information that could lead your in the right direction. If you think you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis, stop reading this right now and go see a doctor. Cannabis has never killed anyone, but people do die from anaphylactic shock, if it goes untreated. Some people have reported that taking allergy medications such as an antihistamine (used to treat rhinitis and other ailments) and it has helped them when they’re having a mild allergic reaction, but that is purely anecdotal. Also I mentioned earlier, if your allergic reactions take the form of hives and swelling, it might be worth asking your doctor or allergist if carrying an epipen could potentially save your life in the future.

At the end of the day, if you think that you are allergic to cannabis the best idea in my opinion, would be to quit using it. This is why it is a good idea to see a doctor, allergist, or immunotherapy specialist to see if there are any treatment options available. They alone can figure out what is causing your allergy and determine if it’s even cannabis causing it (crossing my fingers for you that it isn’t!). You are your own person, so you should do what you think is best. Use good judgement and don’t be afraid to seek medical advice from a professional.

For more information, check out the source articles:

• LiveScience.com: Marijuana May Trigger Allergies in Some People

• Herb.co: The 7 Most Common Symptoms of Cannabis Allergies

• Allergy Asthma & Sinus Institute: Cannabis Allergy Testing Information

• American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: Marijuana Cannabis Allergy

• U.S. National Library of Medicine: Occupational Allergies & Cannabis

• Medical News Today: Can You Be Allergic To Marijuana?

Have you experienced an allergic reaction to cannabis? How have you coped with it? What was your experience like when seeking medical advice? Share below in the comments!