Health experts warn pregnant women that marijuana poses safety risks even where legal, with no known safe amount of cannabis during pregnancy.
More women are turning to marijuana to treat pregnancy-related illnesses, but experts warn of possible adverse side effects.
Cannabis use is rising among pregnant women — especially during the first trimester, the most critical period of fetal development, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, published annually by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Women are turning to marijuana during pregnancy to combat issues such as stress and anxiety, nausea, lack of sleep, vomiting and pain.
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Approximately one in six women admitted to using marijuana or a cannabidiol product while pregnant, but half were not aware of the risks, according to a recent University of Florida study.
Marijuana, derived from the cannabis plant, contains two primary compounds — tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
These compounds can be thought of as “siblings” — CBD does not affect the brain or spinal cord, while THC brings on more of a euphoric “high,” according to Dr. Alta DeRoo, chief medical officer of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Today’s marijuana contains much higher concentrations of THC and is more potent than it was in the 1970s, health experts say, which means older research into its effects may be outdated.
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There is also a scarcity of research into how medical issues affect pregnant women, with less than 1% of drug trials enrolling pregnant patients in the past 15 years, according to a public health study.
Some may assume marijuana is safe for pregnant women because it’s legal in many states and because it’s a natural, plant-based product — but not all natural products are safe during pregnancy.
For example, too much vitamin A can lead to birth defects, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
“Parents want to do the right thing for their health and especially for that of their future children,” Dr. Jamie Lo, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and urology at Oregon Health & Science University, told Fox News Digital. Her research focuses on the effects of cannabis on reproductive health.
There is no known safe amount of cannabis to use in pregnancy, she added.
“I advise my patients to consider safer alternatives to treat their symptoms in pregnancy — or for those who cannot abstain, at least try to reduce their frequency of use,” she said.
Kim Gamez, founder of SOBER(ISH), an online marketplace that sells hemp-derived, micro-dosed options for those wanting a buzz without alcohol, said she is “often surprised” by how many women ask if their products are safe to use during pregnancy or while nursing. (Hemp, like marijuana, is derived from the cannabis plant.)
“If there’s ever a time in life when relaxation and increased heart rate and delayed reaction time, as well as problems with concentration and memory.
“Some individuals may have euphoria, anxiety and paranoia,” Benjamin added.