Is It Possible to Be Allergic to Marijuana?

Anyone who suffers from springtime allergies knows the misery of battling it out with pollen, grasses and ragweed, but there is one other culprit the sneezing and wheezing stoners of the world may have failed to consider: marijuana.

Now, while we believe having an allergic reaction to weed is nothing less than a cruel joke played by the master of the universe, the reality is more people suffer from cannabis allergies today than ever before.

A recent study written by a team allergy researchers at the University of Antwerp in Belgium entitled “Emerging Allergens: Cannabis.” This particular analysis finds that Cannabis sativa has the ability to trigger allergic rhinitis (hay fever), conjunctivitis (pink eye), as well as skin irritation and asthmatic symptoms when it is smoked or ingested.

However, researchers say marijuana allergies can be just as severe for those simply exposed to the plant’s pollen. Luckily, allergies to pot pollen is not a huge issue because most marijuana is grown indoors.

Researchers also state that consuming marijuana can leave some people more susceptible to food allergies -- it called the “cannabis-fruits/vegetables” syndrome.

Those interested in determining whether they have a marijuana allergy can do so by submitting to a skin allergy test.

Mike Adams writes for stoners and smut enthusiasts in HIGH TIMES, Playboy’s The Smoking Jacket and Hustler Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter @adamssoup and on Facebook/mikeadams73.

Marijuana Allergy Symptoms

A marijuana allergy can cause skin problems if the plant or flowers are handled. Skin irritation may include:

itching
redness
rash or hives
dry, scaly skin
There is some evidence that marijuana could also be an airborne allergen with individuals becoming sensitized after inhalation of marijuana pollen. Airborne allergy symptoms from marijuana would be similar to any other airborne allergen and may include:

rhinitis (itchy, runny nose)
nasal congestion
sore throat
itchy, watery eyes
respiratory problems, such as asthma
If you think you might have a marijuana allergy, it is best to avoid the plant altogether. If you have been using marijuana medicinally, you may want to speak with your physician to get medical advice. There may be other treatment options for your symptoms that won't cause allergic reactions.

It is possible that your allergy is related to the vegetative material rather than the cannabinoids. If this is the case, you may still be able to get high, you'll just have to change your methods.
There are several ways to test and see if this hypothesis is correct. If you have access to a Marinol pill, you could puncture it and rub its contents on your skin to see if you develop a reaction. If you don't, you probably are not allergic to THC, the chemical in marijuana that gets you high.
If you aren't allergic to THC, but to other substances in grass, you could try using very refined preparations that contain only cannabinoids. These include well-rinsed water hash, water-washed kief or ether-refined THC oil. While not totally free of the allergens, these preparations contain very small amounts of plant matter. You may also be able to vaporize marijuana, since this turns the cannabinoids into a vapor for inhalation without combusting the plant material. It is more pure than smoking. Many vaporizers are available on the market.

So yes people can be Allergic to Marijuana.

Canadian420nurses