The American Medical Association urges states to require dispensaries that sell medical marijuana to put warnings against the use of cannabis during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Associated Press reports smoking or consuming pot for expectant mothers increases risks for pre-mature birth, low birth weight, and attention problems for children, according to the AMA.
This takes aim at the 23 states where medical use of pot is legal - to oblige those who sell the medication to put pregnancy warnings on labels.
The medical group decided to push for this policy during a meeting on Monday in Atlanta. According to the experts, several states might have placed health warnings on cannabis products but not particularly for pregnancy or breast-feeding.
They added that only Oregon - where both medical and recreational uses of the herb are legal - have implemented these warnings.
Medical Daily reports the American College of Obsetricians and Gynecologists also released recommendations for soon-to-be mothers to avoid marijuana use. According to their findings, THC receptors called endocannabinoids "play key roles in normal fetal brain development."
Another study published in Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health says marijuana also triggers severe nausea. Researchers found out that women who reported to have experienced severe nausea during pregnancy were significantly more likely to have admitted cannabis use.
"Although medical use of marijuana has been legal in Hawaii for some time, the issue is still accompanied by significant controversy within the state, as it is in the rest of the country," the researchers concluded. "More research is needed to investigate the exact nature of the relationship between marijuana use and severe nausea during pregnancy, as well as to quantify other risks to mother and fetus associated with marijuana use during pregnancy."
Experts advice it is best for pregnant women to stop the use until they are done with breast-feeding.
