Virginia Sees Rise in ER Visits for Long-Term Cannabis Use

New study shows increase in cases of cannabis abuse, dependence, and poisoning in the state

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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According to a new study by the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, Virginia has seen a significant increase in adult emergency department visits related to cannabis abuse, dependence, and poisoning over the past five years, with the highest number of visits recorded in 2022. The study also found a nearly 29% increase in cases of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, a condition that can cause severe nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting in long-term cannabis users.

Why it matters

The rise in cannabis-related emergency department visits highlights growing health concerns around the increased availability and use of THC products, including edibles and other cannabis-infused foods. The findings raise questions about the potential public health impacts of cannabis legalization and the need for greater education and prevention efforts.

The details

From 2020 to 2024, Virginia hospital emergency departments recorded 172,778 adult patient visits for cannabis abuse, dependence, or poisoning diagnoses, with more than 31,000 such visits each year during the five-year span and a peak of 37,690 visits in 2022. Cases of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome also increased nearly 29% during this period, with 24,960 total visits associated with the condition.

  • From 2020 to 2024, Virginia saw an increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits.
  • In 2022, Virginia recorded the highest number of such visits at 37,690.
  • Cases of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome increased nearly 29% from 2020 to 2024.

The players

Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association

The organization that conducted the study on the rise in cannabis-related emergency department visits in Virginia.

Julian Walker

The vice president of communications for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, who provided commentary on the study's findings.

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What they’re saying

“Those symptoms are not going away, they are not subsiding, and efforts to relieve those symptoms are not successful; that might be a situation in which a patient would want to contact a physician or potentially seek emergency care.”

— Julian Walker, Vice President of Communications (wset.com)

“These THC-type products have become more readily available. But those are two fact patterns that exist on parallel tracks. But at this point, it would be premature to definitively say one is related to the other.”

— Julian Walker, Vice President of Communications (wset.com)

What’s next

The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association plans to continue studying the trends in cannabis-related emergency department visits to better understand the public health implications.

The takeaway

The rise in cannabis-related emergency department visits in Virginia highlights the need for greater education and prevention efforts around the potential health risks of long-term cannabis use, particularly as THC products become more widely available. Health officials emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking medical attention if experiencing severe or persistent symptoms.