A warning has been issued to pregnant and breast-feeding women about the possible health risks that marijuana can bring.
The American Medical Association agreed to impose regulations that require written warnings on medical and recreation marijuana products and that it should be posted in places where these products are sold. This decision was based from a research implying that marijuana use may be associated with low birth weight, premature birth and behavioral problems in young children.
Other people are still skeptical about the effect of pot and say that the evidence of harm is weak. However, there are still those who believe that research is needed to make sure that the facts are straight, so that caution may be taken if needed.
In recent studies, the use of marijuana during pregnancy has been related to childhood attention problems and lower scores in problem solving measures. According to the AMA's new policy, THC, which is the main and active ingredient in marijuana, has been discovered in women's milk while breast-feeding and some information even implies that the drug can actually affect the quality and quantity of the breast milk.
Warnings for alcohol and tobacco have been issued as well. According to Dr. Diana Ramos, a Los Angeles physician with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which suggested the warnings at the AMA policy meeting. There are clear evidence of harm from alcohol and tobacco than from marijuana, however the use of marijuana has not been proven safe when used during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.
Earlier this year, an advisory was issued against the use of marijuana during pregnancy; the OB-GYN group noted that 5% of women use marijuana during their pregnancy and the number reach as high as 28% in the urban areas among low-income women.
Dr. Ramos explained that involving the AMA gave power to the proposal. She said that their goal is to require sellers of marijuana to post warnings because the use of marijuana is still illegal under federal law.