Chapter 9 - Secondhand Marijuana: Prenatal Cannabis Exposure

Summary

Research regarding the impact of in utero exposure to marijuana lags behind other areas of interest despite frequent use during pregnancy. The endocannabinoid system is intimately involved with guiding embryonic and fetal axon development and THC has been shown to disrupt microtubules in axonal growth cones, raising concern for potential long term consequences. While no gross birth defects have been associated with prenatal exposure to marijuana, some reduction in birth weight is common. Only three long term studies provide data on the consequences of prenatal exposure: OPPS (Canada), MHPCD (US), and Generation R (Netherlands). Immediate effects on newborns include increased tremors, exaggerated startle, a high-pitched cry and abnormal sleep cycling. Disturbances in memory and verbal development, sustained attention, increased impulsivity and hyperactivity have been documented at various ages from early childhood through the first two decades of life. fMRIs during executive function testing in 18-22-year-olds prenatally exposed to marijuana reveal compensatory recruitment of wider areas of cortex than in controls. Psychological and behavioral problems have also been reported as early as age 6. Both pediatricians (AAP) and obstetricians (ACOG) caution against marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation.