Overconsumption

Overconsumption is the consumption of cannabis beyond an individual's tolerance or intended dose, producing adverse subjective and physiological effects including acute anxiety, paranoia, tachycardia, hypotension, dysphoria, vomiting, and rare cases of transient psychosis. Edibles are the most common vehicle, because delayed onset (30 min–2 h) leads to "dose-stacking" as users consume additional portions before feeling initial effects (MacCallum & Russo 2018). Monte et al. (2019 Ann Intern Med) analyzed Colorado emergency department visits and found edibles were substantially overrepresented relative to their market share: 10.7% of visits were attributable to edibles despite edibles constituting ~0.32% of total cannabis sales by THC content, with higher rates of acute psychiatric visits and cardiovascular adverse events. No universal toxic threshold exists; cannabis has no documented lethal dose in humans, but overconsumption drives substantial acute-care utilization and can precipitate cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in chronic users. Cross-reference Green out, Part 9. Citations: Monte AA et al. Ann Intern Med. 2019;170:531-537; MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Eur J Intern Med. 2018;49:12-19; NASEM 2017.