Ethan Russo and a few of his colleagues recently published a patent application covering a kit to diagnose Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). The patent application starts with an excellent description of CHS:

Research into the cause of CHS is in its infancy, with many of the potential associated genetic causes being described in this patent and the associated scientific paper published by the same authors. They found small variations in proteins associated with cannabis metabolism and the endocannabinoid system were present in patients who experienced CHS. The patent covers the use of a kit to detect these variations in various fluids (blood, saliva, etc.). Most of the kits described work under similar principles to the kits healthcare professionals currently use to detect covid. The unique aspect of the invention is targeting these variations, not the kit itself.

They’re also attempting to claim any treatment that targets these proteins are also covered by the patent:

They’re saying that don’t know of any treatments, but are outlining what a treatment could do to impact CHS. They’re trying to claim the knowledge of potential interactions classifies as ‘novel’ and thus their patent should cover the use of all of these potential treatments. I’ve previously gone over the good and bad sides of patents. Adding this wording, which doesn’t identify a novel treatment while attempting to protect any novel treatments that are discovered in the future, is bad. If granted, this patent will dissuade private research into CHS, since any treatment discovered that happens to target these proteins become worthless until after the patent expires (unless discovered by Ethan and co.).

They do mention that stopping cannabis consumption or replacing THC consumption with CBD could treat CHS. Neither of these are commercially exploitable since halting consumption of THC can’t be sold to patients who still want to consume THC. The ideal treatment would allow patients to consume THC without experiencing CHS. They mention capsaicin might relieve CHS symptoms if consumed with THC, they haven’t tested this theory and it would be hard to commercialize since capsaicin is readily available to the public (it’s what makes chili peppers hot!). They also claim the anti-psychotic drug haloperidol could be used to relieve symptoms of CHS if consumed with THC, but again, didn’t do any experiments showing it could help.