Medical marijuana has been legalized in several states, and recreational marijuana use has been controversially legalized in a handful of states. According to USA Today, the majority of Americans today support the legalization of recreational marijuana, unlike the minority in 1969. As this drug gains legal status and popularity, many doctors are seeing an increase in women using marijuana during pregnancy. Is this trending practice safe?
Legalization Does Not Equate to Safe
The most common argument we hear from drug addicts is that the legalization of marijuana makes it safe to use. However, this idea is flawed.
Alcohol is also a legal substance. It can be freely purchased by anyone over the age of 21 with identification. The legalization of alcohol doesn’t make it any less addictive.
In fact, nearly 88,000 people die annually from alcohol-related causes ranging from alcohol poisoning (or overdose) to accidents. Research also shows that alcohol consumed during pregnancy, even in small amounts, can cause a miscarriage.
The legalization of a substance does not change its addictive qualities or dangerous side effects, and marijuana is a highly addictive and dangerous drug.
Marijuana in Pregnancy
Does marijuana consumed during pregnancy affect the baby? The major cannabinoid in marijuana, delta-9-tertrahydrocannabinol (THC), efficiently crosses the placenta and umbilical cord, putting it in direct contact with the fetus.
Although unethical to study the pattern of this transfer in pregnant women, it has been studied in detail through various animal studies. The results approximate the transfer within the human body:
- A study conducted during the early pregnancy stages of monkeys revealed that THC injected into the mother crossed the placenta and cord rapidly. Peaking levels of THC were discovered in the fetal blood in as little as 15 minutes, and within three hours it penetrated fetal tissues including the brain and liver.
- A second study conducted on pregnant rats recorded that THC delivered to the mother’s stomach crossed the placenta. Roughly 10 percent of the administered dose was found in the fetal blood.
The Effects of Marijuana on an Unborn Child
Animal studies have provided much information regarding the effects of marijuana on an unborn fetus. Although the results are still being reviewed, cross referenced, and deciphered by researchers, some major discoveries have shed light on how the use of marijuana during pregnancy effects the unborn child.
Controlled animal studies combined with observed results from human pregnancies were the mother was known to have used marijuana revealed the following effects on the baby:
- Miscarriage
- Preterm birth
- Low birth weight
- Major birth defects
- Newborn and infant death
Babies exposed to cannabis during utero have displayed different behavior and responses to stimuli. They are more likely to have developmental disorders including learning and behavioral difficulties. In some cases, the effects of THC are unseen for months, even years, after birth.
The Conclusion
Regardless of the legal status of marijuana and CBD oil, it is still a highly addictive and dangerous substance. Its use during pregnancy is not recommended as it does not promote a safe or healthy pregnancy for mother or baby.