Medical Groups Advise Against Prenatal Cannabis Use Due To Links To Cognitive Impairment, Academic Underachievement.
The New York Times (2/2, Saint Louis, Subscription Publication) reports, “As states legalize marijuana or its medical use, expectant mothers are taking it up in increasing numbers,” many presuming that “cannabis has no consequences for developing infants.”
But, “marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient – tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC – can cross the placenta to reach the fetus, experts say, potentially harming brain development, cognition and birth weight.” Currently, “the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists both advise against prenatal cannabis use because of its links to cognitive impairment and academic underachievement.”
This information is added to a long list of problems associated with regular marijuana use.
