So if all things are equal (not even close, but hopefully someday soon), and the research indicates that similar risks are associated with exposure to the aforementioned prescription medications as well as cannabis, then we need to stop interfering with women who choose to medicate with cannabis to treat their symptoms. Legalized states especially should no longer maintain such standards. Women who make such decisions should be able to discuss their cannabis use with their doctors, midwives, nurses, and pediatricians for the best outcomes across the board. Families face enough challenges, trauma caused by the medical establishment and Child Protective Services following birth of a baby shouldn’t be included in those challenges.
The medical establishment is doing harm by interfering with this significantly sensitive time, which is a serious violation of the Hippocratic oath — the principle which dictates that medical professionals do not cause injury or harm to their patients. It’s time to review these practice standards, to help and empower families who choose to use cannabis in a therapeutic way instead of punishing them, thereby setting them up for serious challenges as they start their new life together. The goal is healthy families, right? The answer is yes, yes it is.
-Marissa Fratoni
14