Acute Recreational Cannabis-Induced Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: A Case Report

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a lung disease in which foreign matter is inhaled and exposed to lung parenchymal and interstitial tissue. Such matter may include pollen, molds, chemicals, and smoke. HP leads to widespread inflammation and even fibrosis in chronic forms; the main route of treatment usually involves corticosteroids and antifibrotics as needed. We describe a patient case in which HP was diagnosed after using recreational marijuana, and her chest x-ray had a complete resolution after one day of a corticosteroid regimen. As recreational marijuana use increases, clinicians need to keep HP on the differential diagnosis in patients that frequently utilize recreational marijuana obtained through illicit business.