Like cannabis compounds, pesticide residues,
pollutants, and heavy metals can be passed
along to a baby via breast milk.
While research in Australia has shown that
pesticide levels in breast milk have decreased
over the past several years, scientists remain
concerned that levels of pesticides and other
pollutants in breast milk can interfere with an
infant’s developing hormonal system.
Also similar to some of the results from
cannabis research, high levels of certain types
of pesticides in breast milk was correlated
with increased hyperactivity in children by
five years of age.
With so many cannabis products not tested for
residual pesticides, expecting mothers may be
unintentionally exposing their babies to
unsafe levels of the pollutants.
Education, not criminalisation
As you can see, there are no simple answers
when it comes to cannabis and pregnancy.
Research on the subject falls all over the
board.
nursed by its mother’s own breast milk causes
more damage than prenatal THC exposure.
To be clear, when it comes to pregnancy, it is
always recommended to follow the guidance
and expertise of a trusted medical
professional.
Yet, there is no need to be alarmist or
sensational about the effects of cannabis use
during pregnancy.
While more research is sorely needed, some
of the studies conducted have found some
potential risks.
If mothers-to-be know what the possible
outcomes are, they are better able to make
informed decisions that best suit their
individual needs.
Due to a sheer lack of high-quality and
consistent information about prenatal
cannabis consumption, any wise doctor or
midwife would explain that the effects of the
herb are unknown and that there seems to be
a possibility of negative health outcomes.
In either case, no mother should face criminal
consequences nor a visit from child services
for the decision. With no safe consumption limit established,
the vast majority of medical professionals will
advise you that safest amount of cannabis to
consume while pregnant will always be zero.
Above all else, consuming cannabis during
pregnancy is a public health issue, not a
criminal one. Unlike alcohol or illicit drugs, cannabis is not
associated with severe birth defects or
withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Mothers who admit to consuming cannabis
while pregnant – or in general – can face jail
time and risk having their child taken away by
social services. However, when it comes to a baby, it’s always
better to play it safe than sorry.
This criminalisation approach
suggests that allowing a chi ld to
grow up away from its mother,
potentially placed in foster care,
and potentially unable to be
https://www.green-
flower.com/articles/621/cannabis-and-pregnancy