The Mystery of Low Phosphate: Marijuana is the Smoking Gun

Hypophosphatemia is a rarely reported side-effect of cannabis use. The potential mechanisms of hypophosphatemia include enteric malabsorption/loss, excessive urinary excretion, or rapid trans-cellular shifts. Severe hypophosphatemia from daily marijuana use is a rare side-effect. A trans-cellular shift is the most likely proposed mechanism. Although it tends to self-correct fairly rapidly, close observation for the dreaded consequences related to hypophosphatemia is required. Both the users and providers must be aware of this rare association of hypophosphatemia with daily marijuana use.