A new assessment from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute has shown that marijuana has become increasingly popular among pregnant Ontario women in recent years.
This became particularly evident following Canadian legalization in late 2018.
“Between 2012 and 2022, Ontario saw a 2.5-fold increase in cannabis use among pregnant women,” the organization specified in a news release on Wednesday.
A study on this topic was published in the JAMA Network Open journal on Jan. 21. It examined data from more than 975,000 ladies in the province during the 10-year period. The CHEO Research Institute collaborated with the University of Ottawa for the investigation.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Daniel Corsi, says marijuana legalization may have lessened the perceived risk of consumption among women in Ontario.
Shortly after this study was posted online, the CDC issued a warning about the dangers of cannabis use during pregnancy.
“Cannabis may be bad for your baby no matter how you use it,” the American agency said, “this includes smoking, vaping, dabbing, eating or drinking, and applying creams or lotions to the skin.”
Read more: BC man charged for role in C$47M illicit cannabis money laundering scheme
Read more: Aurora establishes 1st German medical brand as nation’s industry takes flight
Consumption in the U.S. has increased immensely
Between 2002 and 2017 the amount of women using cannabinoid products increased more than two-fold as well. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health made this determination in the late 2010s.
Some studies have suggested that marijuana usage can have negative neurodevelopmental effects on babies before they are born.
Other have indicated that children may develop ADHD-like symptoms down the road as a result.
In states where recreational pot is permitted, the percentage of women who use it during the 9-month period is known to be higher.
In Colorado, for instance, a study from the Department of Public Health & Environment found that 12.6 per cent of pregnant females reported using THC and CBD products in 2014 while only 4.4 per cent did so in 2002.
rowan@mugglehead.com
