‘Santa Clause’ Star David Krumholtz Opens Up About Near-Death Experience With Pot

Actor David Krumholtz has opened up about a terrifying health scare caused by smoking marijuana, revealing he “almost died” after developing a rare condition known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

David Krumholtz, best known for his role in "Santa Clause," shared his experience at the Cinema Society screening of Riff Raff on Wednesday.

Krumholtz told Page Six that he began using marijuana again after “a long break” and quickly became “a daily smoker.” However, this habit led to the onset of CHS, a condition that “leads to repeated and severe bouts of vomiting,” according to Cedars-Sinai. The syndrome typically affects daily, long-term users of marijuana.

“It’s rare, [but] it’s becoming more and more prevalent yearly, like, numbers are doubling every year,” Krumholtz noted.

He believes the increase in cases might be linked to the potency of modern cannabis. “Essentially, they messed up weed. They made it too strong, and they don’t know why it’s happening," he said. "There’s a lot of theories.”

CHS can cause what Krumholtz described as “hyper-nausea,” making sufferers dangerously ill.

“I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I almost died a couple of times,” he said, adding that his medical bills have piled up due to numerous emergency room visits. “It’s really bad. It’s really dangerous. It’s as serious as a heart attack. It’s horrifying for those that suffer from it.”

The "Oppenheimer" actor suggested that CHS might occur when the brain’s cannabinoid receptors are “blown out” from excessive use. “You can blow out the receptors, like blowing out an engine, making it that every time you smoke pot, not every time, but if you smoke it enough, you get wildly, dangerously nauseous,” he explained.

Krumholtz, who has since quit using marijuana, is calling for more awareness about the dangers of cannabis, especially in light of its increasing legalization and the perception of it as a “friendly drug.”

“It’s a very addictive drug, and now that it’s super strong, it’s really addictive,” he warned. He argued that the public is often unaware of CHS because cannabis is widely considered a safe substance that doesn’t pose life-threatening risks.

The dangers of CHS are real. According to a study published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, CHS can be fatal, with documented cases including the deaths of young adults who had a history of the condition and chronic cannabis use. These individuals presented with severe nausea and vomiting in the days before their deaths, underscoring the potential severity of CHS.

Krumholtz is advocating for better education on the risks associated with marijuana use, particularly for consumers purchasing legal cannabis. “I would love to see every legal cannabis store be required to have a pamphlet,” he suggested. “An optional pamphlet that says, ‘Hey, if you start feeling nauseous, stop because there is nothing that works except stopping.’”

One reported case shared by The American Journal of Gastroenterolgy involved a 41-year-old male with a 20-year history of frequent marijuana use. He experienced recurrent, prolonged episodes of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain for a decade. Despite undergoing extensive gastrointestinal evaluations, all testing came back unremarkable.

Tragically, he died from hyponatremic dehydration due to exacerbation of CHS. An autopsy revealed signs of dehydration, acute esophageal necrosis, focal pneumonia, and only marijuana metabolites in his system.

Another documented case described a 48-year-old male with a history of fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression. He had previously been diagnosed with somatization disorder and experienced repeated bouts of intractable nausea and vomiting. He was found deceased in his bathtub after a neighbor noticed running water for two days.

An autopsy showed severe dehydration, acute esophageal necrosis, and early signs of pneumonia likely due to aspiration. Toxicology confirmed the presence of THC, clonazepam metabolites, and pregabalin in his system, with the cause of death attributed to hyponatremic dehydration in the setting of probable CHS.

As the actor prepares for his next role in Seth Rogen’s upcoming series "The Studio," he hopes his story will serve as a cautionary tale, raising awareness about the lesser-known dangers of cannabis and helping others avoid the potentially life-threatening consequences of CHS.