Cannabis is one of the most widely used legal drugs in Canada. The legalization of Marijuana served to reinforce the belief that there were no health risks associated with using Marijuana. Medical research has now identified a number of health risks with the use of Cannabis. However, knowledge about the potential risks of use during pregnancy, infants, toddlers, and adolescence remain largely unknown by the general public. Cannabis is the most common psychoactive substance used by women of child-bearing age, and the most commonly used drug among pregnant women. On average THC levels are 7 times higher, than in the past, increasing the harmful effects of Marijuana.
MYTH: It is a commonly held belief that the Placenta, which provides nutrients and oxygen to the fetus through the mother’s bloodstream does not cross the placenta.
FACT: THC rapidly crosses the placenta. Cannabis can stay in the mother’s body for weeks, depending on the strength, how often it is used, and the mother’s metabolism. While some mothers use Cannabis for morning sickness, and pain, the latest research shows that no amount of Cannabis is safe during pregnancy. The effects can be passed onto the fetus through the placenta. Research indicates that infants exposed to Cannabis in the womb, when compared to mother’s who did not use Cannabis during pregnancy, found that it effected the baby’s mental and physical development, as well as higher risks of being born too small and too early.