Cannabinoid intoxication has become a widespread health issue in the United States, particularly in the increasing number of states that have legalized cannabis for personal and recreational use. The ingestion of large quantities of tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), typically via edible products and synthetic cannabinoids, is a major cause of cannabinoid intoxication and therefore a leading cause of THC-related emergency room visits.
Intoxication by synthetic cannabinoids (also known as “synthetics”, “K2” or “spice”) are two leading causes of THC -related emergency room visits. Synthetic cannabinoids are analogous to fentanyl for opioids insofar as they are more potent at the cannabinoid receptor than their natural product congener THC.
In recent years, hospital emergency rooms across the United States have seen a dramatic increase in treating patients with cannabis-related conditions. Growth of cannabis-associated emergency department (ED) visits has accelerated to a 15% CAGR since the first states legalized cannabis in 2012.
According to a published scientific paper that provided a national estimate based on data from The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), the largest all-payer database in the United States that provides estimates of hospital-owned emergency department visits, the number of cannabis-associated ED visits was estimated to have surpassed 1.7 million in 2019. We believe the number of cannabis-related hospitalizations will increase substantially as more states legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use.” Given these circumstances, there is an urgent need for a treatment to reverse the symptoms of cannabinoid intoxication.
Prescriber research via a survey of emergency room physicians shows a significant unmet medical need for cannabinoid intoxication. According to the survey, on a scale of 0 (no need) to 10 (significant need), physicians scored on average of 7.52, indicating they believe there is a strong need for a cannabinoid antagonist to treat cannabis intoxication.
The physicians surveyed provided encouraging feedback on how useful they would find a cannabinoid antagonist in the emergency room setting:
“Have had several pediatric patients require intubation secondary to cannabis intoxication and would make a large impact on their care.”
“Can’t wait for the antidote.”
“It would help avoid intubation if respiratory depression.”
“An antagonist would be so helpful, because these patients often spend an inordinate amount of time in the ER becoming clinically sober.”
Synthetic Cannabinoids are
a Growing Problem
