Can Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Harm a Baby?

January 24, 2019
By GoodTherapy Staff

INFOGRAPHIC TEXT: CAN MARIJUANA USE DURING PREGNANCY HARM A BABY?

In the U.S., 4% of pregnant women report using cannabis in the last month.

During pregnancy, up to 30% of THC (marijuana’s active ingredient) can reach the baby.

Research shows a child exposed to THC in the womb or through breast milk is more likely to:

Show more irritability and trembling as an infant.
Have decreased motor development at 12 months.
Show gaps in problem-solving and memory at school.
Develop hyperactivity and inattention symptoms.

However, it’s difficult to say whether THC exposure causes these issues or if it occurs alongside other contributing factors such as parental alcohol use.

In some states, women who expose their children to marijuana in utero may be required to get substance abuse treatment.

References:

Can marijuana use during and after pregnancy harm the baby? (2018). National Institute of Health. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2H0O8bl
Is it safe to use marijuana during pregnancy? (2017). Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2S0ydTb
Some pregnant women don’t believe cannabis is harmful to their fetus. (2019, January 21). ScienceDaily. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2R6DNPp

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