Heraganahally, Subash

Monsi E

Gadil, Eden

Maze, David

Lynch S

2023-09-11

The prevalence of cannabis usage is increasing worldwide, including among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The long-term effects of cannabis use on the lungs are well-known. However, the acute adverse effects on the lungs are sparsely reported. There are different ways in which cannabis can be inhaled, such as smoking or through a water vaporizing method known as a "bong." An improvised innovative bong device that is commonly used in Northern Australia, called a "bucket bong," uses water and air pressure to assist in cannabis inhalation. In this report, we describe three patients from remote and rural Northern Australian communities presenting with near-life-threatening events (acute pneumonitis and massive pneumothorax) immediately after the use of cannabis via bucket bong.

Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia.

College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Darwin, Australia.

Darwin Respiratory and Sleep Health, Darwin Private Hospital, Darwin, Australia.

Aboriginal Support Division, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia.

Am J Trop Med Hyg . 2023 Sep 11;109(5):1199-1204. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0393. Print 2023 Nov 1.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37696516/?otool=iaurydwlib

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/12530

Humans

Cannabis

Steam

Pneumothorax

Australia

Smoking

Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse

Case Report: Catastrophic Effects of Using Cannabis Via Bucket Bong in Top End Northern Territory of Australia.

Journal Article

Publication