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Marijuana and Pregnancy The Up Side mood lift relaxation, stress reduction creative, philosophical or deep thinking : ideas flow more easily increased appreciation of music. More aware of, deeper connection to music. increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell) change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasant body feel. Increase in body/mind connection. pain relief (headaches, cramps) reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this) boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or funny The Mundaine general change in consciousness (as with many psychoactives) increased appetite, snacky-ness slowness (slow driving, talking) light closed-eye visuals (uncommon) tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy stimulation, inability to sleep (less common) blood shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users) mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain) interrupts linear memory. Difficulty following a train of thought. cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported) racing thoughts (especially at high doses) The Downside nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems difficulty with short term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use racing heart, agitation, feeling tense mild to severe anxiety panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much) headaches dizziness, confusion lightheadedness or fainting (in cases of lowered blood pressure) paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent possible psychological dependence on cannabis clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders The above was taken from Eroid.org www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_effects.shtml Animal studies of the effects of THC on pregnancy are inconsistent, even with doses of 10-20 mg/kg, a hundred times higher than the Lowest Observed Effect Level (LOEL) for psychotropic effects. A few studies purported to show impairment of cerebral development in children of chronic cannabis consumers, but these studies were never replicated and are now discredited. The No Observed Effect Level (NOEL) for pregnancy variables (parturition, duration of pregnancy, infantile abnormalities, birth weight) is above the range of human consumption by chronic marijuana consumers. There is no realistically demonstrated danger to pregnant women or their offspring from consumption of marijuana. The above was taken from the following site for further reading - http://www.hempology.com/archives/2001_09.html Birth Defects Unlike alcohol, cocaine, and tobacco, studies show that there exists no evident link between prenatal use of marijuana and birth defects or fetal alcohol syndrome in humans. In fact, marijuana use during the third trimester has been found to have a positive impact on birthweight. It is known that Delta-9-THC does enter the placenta, so mothers are advised against consuming large quantities. The above was taken from the following site for further reading - www.420times.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33637 Don't children born to pot-smoking mothers suffer from ``Fetal Marijuana Syndrome?'' 13) If a fetal cannabis syndrome exists, cases are so rare that it cannot be demonstrated. Many mothers use marijuana during pregnancy -- it controls the nausea called `morning sickness' and many say it actually increases the appetite and reduces stress. This is especially important in less developed countries, where modern medical care is not as easily available, but even so, the benefits of responsible marijuana use may outweigh the risks even under modern medicine. Studies conducted in Jamiaca have shown that mothers who smoke marijuana have healthier children, but this may be due to the extra income generated by marijuana dealing and other factors. It has been a common ploy in the War on Drugs to claim that marijuana, and especially cocaine, causes birth defects or behavior problems like alcohol does. This scares caring mothers into thinking drugs are `evil.' The claims are not based on valid scientific research -- many of them do not even consider the life-style or living conditions of the mothers before pointing at drugs with the blame. Obviously, pregnant mothers should not smoke as much pot as they possibly can. If marijuana is abused, it may hurt the health of both mother and child. Delta-9-THC does cross the placenta and enter the fetus. Oddly, though, the marijuana metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-THC does not, and the fetus does not break delta-9-THC down into 11-nor like the mother's body does, so unborn children are not exposed to 11-nor. The third trimester is the time when the child is most vulnerable. Parents should bear these facts in mind when they make decisions about using cannabis. The above was taken from the following site for further reading - http://www.faqs.org/faqs/drugs/hemp-marijuana/ MYTH: MARIJUANA USE DURING PREGNANCY DAMAGES THE FETUS. Prenatal marijuana exposure causes birth defects in babies, and, as they grow older, developmental problems. The health and well being of the next generation is threatened by marijuana use by pregnant women. FACT: Studies of newborns, infants, and children show no consistent physical, developmental, or cognitive deficits related to prenatal marijuana exposure. Marijuana had no reliable impact on birth size, length of gestation, neurological development, or the occurrence of physical abnormalities. The administration of hundreds of tests to older children has revealed only minor differences between offspring of marijuana users and nonusers, and some are positive rather than negative. Two unconfirmed case-control studies identified prenatal marijuana exposure as one of many factors statistically associated with childhood cancer. Given other available evidence, it is highly unlikely that marijuana causes cancer in children. The above was taken from the following site for further reading - http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/ Endocannabinoid System Plays Pivotal Role In Prenatal And Postnatal Development, Medical Journal Says October 7, 2004 - Ariel, Israel Ariel, Israel: Endocannabinoids (naturally occurring chemicals in the body that mimic marijuana's cannabinoids) and their receptors "have major influence during pre- and postnatal development," and may one day play a significant role in pediatric medicine, according to a clinical review published this week European Journal of Pharmacology. Clinical studies have documented that the activation of cannabis receptors as well as the production of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide are essential for proper prenatal and post natal development. Authors note that endocannabinoids are present in the uterus and in mother's milk, and that activation of the cannabinoid receptors in newborns is critical to the development of the oral-motor and nervous systems. Anandamide also has neuroprotectant properties in the developing postnatal brain, and affects "prefrontal cortical functions, memory and motor and addictive behaviors." Authors concluded, "The medical implications of these novel developments are far reaching and suggest a promising future for cannabinoids in pediatric medicine" for a variety of conditions, including cystic fibrosis. For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. updated: Oct 07, 2004 Prenatal Marijuana Exposure and Neonatal Outcomes in Jamaica: An Ethnographic Study Melanie C. Dreher, PhD; Kevin Nugent, PhD; and Rebekah Hudgins, MA ABSTRACT. Objective. To identify neurobehavioral effects of prenatal marijuana exposure on neonates in rural Jamaica. Design. Ethnographic field studies and standardized neurobehavior assessments during the neonatal period. Setting. Rural Jamaica in heavy-marijuana-using population. Participants. Twenty-four Jamaican neonates exposed to marijuana prenatally and 20 nonexposed neonates. Measurements and main results. Exposed and nonexposed neonates were compared at 3 days and 1 month old, using the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale, including supplementary items to capture possible subtle effects. There were no significant differences between exposed and nonexposed neonates on day 3. At 1 month, the exposed neonates showed better physiological stability and required less examiner facilitation to reach organized states. The neonates of heavy-marijuana-using mothers had better scores on autonomic stability, quality of alertness, irritability, and self-regulation and were judged to be more rewarding for caregivers. Conclusions. The absence of any differences between the exposed on nonexposed groups in the early neonatal period suggest that the better scores of exposed neonates at 1 month are traceable to the cultural positioning and social and economic characteristics of mothers using marijuana that select for the use of marijuana but also promote neonatal development. Pediatrics 1994;93:254-260; prenatal marijuana exposure, neonatal outcomes, Jamaica, Brazelton scale supplementary items. Taken from: http://www.pdxnorml.org/Pediatrics_Prenatal_m_exposure_0294.html

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