Ask the Allergist

Could I have a cannabis allergy?

AAFA's Ask the Allergist Service 7/9/214:44 PM

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Question

I think I'm allergic to marijuana. Is it possible to have an allergic reaction if I touched or kissed someone who has recently smoked or eaten marijuana products?

Answer

Allergy to marijuana (cannabis) can occur. If you are allergic, the protein that is the allergen can cause an allergic a reaction if ingested or smoked. The odor itself would not likely cause an allergic reaction. But the smoke which can contain the allergen in the vapor can cause respiratory symptoms. The risk of reaction would be if you are around this person while they are actively smoking. If they are ingesting it, then kissing could potentially be as risk.

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Allergy

Answered by

Douglas T. Johnston, DO, FAAAAI, FACAAI, is an allergist/clinical immunologist at Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Assistant Professor at Edward Via School of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He is a fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI). He has lectured at national and international medical conferences and has publications in several medical journals, including “Clinical Immunology,” “World Allergy Organization Journal,” “Journal of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology,” “The Journal of the American Medical Association,” and the “New England Journal of Medicine.”

Reviewed and Answered

February 8, 2021

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Comments (4)

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ComptonAAFA Community Team

Welcome, @GilbertoF. It's good to have you here in the AAFA community. An interesting question! Your report lists sensitivity to the pollens of English plantain, ragweed, and goosefoot.That has nothing to say about whether you are allergic to cannabis pollen, something rare in any location, I think. As 'Ask the Allergist' says above, allergy to marijuana is possible but more likely connected to smoking it.

12/10/211:43 PM

GilbertoFMember

My AERO-ALLERGEN PANEL says High Positive (Class 3) for Grass and Weed Mix. Would I be allergic to cannabis too? Is there any relation ?

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12/10/211:58 AM

JRMember

@BenR

Secondhand smoke from cigarettes, cannabis, and anything else that burns is indeed problematic for folks with asthma.

If and when possible, those with a legal prescription could use other forms of marijuana (e.g. edibles) which would avoid the trigger (i.e. smoke) that affects so many people.

7/12/2110:30 AM

BenRMember

Good enough reason for people to only go smoke it in a well ventilated location by themselves. Drives me crazy. Any cigarettes smoke or cannabis triggers my migraines and asthma. People unfortunately don’t understand manners or personal space.

7/9/218:29 PM

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Could I have a cannabis allergy?

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