Cannabis smoke can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions, and these risks are often overlooked

Multiple studies associate marijuana use with increased asthma symptoms and other allergic disease manifestations, as well as increased frequency of medical visits. Cannabis can cause allergic reactions through direct sensitization. The review emphasizes that cannabis is an underrecognized precipitating factor for acute asthma and allergic attacks.

Narrative review of English, Spanish, and Portuguese literature from 1970-2017 on the relationship between cannabis use and asthma/allergic diseases.

As cannabis use normalizes, clinicians may not think to ask about it when evaluating asthma exacerbations or allergic reactions. Cannabis may be an unrecognized trigger in patients with poorly controlled asthma or unexplained allergic symptoms.

Cannabis allergy is a real and growing phenomenon. As more people are exposed through legalization, both direct sensitization (from the plant) and inhalation-triggered asthma may become increasingly common clinical presentations.

Narrative review without systematic methodology or meta-analysis. Much of the evidence is observational. Long-term effects in allergic asthma patients are not well studied. The review cannot distinguish between smoked cannabis effects and inherent allergenicity.