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

Abstract

ABSTRACT. 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.