Cannabis use while trying to conceive: a prospective cohort study evaluating associations with fecundability, live birth and pregnancy loss

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Is cannabis use assessed via urinary metabolites and self-report during preconception associated with fecundability, live birth and pregnancy loss? Preconception cannabis use was associated with reduced fecundability among women with a history of pregnancy loss attempting pregnancy despite an increased frequency of intercourse. Cannabis use continues to rise despite limited evidence of safety during critical windows of pregnancy establishment. While existing studies suggest that self-reported cannabis use is not associated with fecundability, self-report may not be reliable. Prospective cohort study was carried out including 1228 women followed for up to six cycles while attempting pregnancy (2006 to 2012), and throughout pregnancy if they conceived.

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Examining the association between prenatal cannabis exposure and child autism traits: A multi-cohort investigation in the environmental influences on child health outcome program

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This study examined the association between prenatal cannabis exposure and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses and traits. A total sample of 11,570 children (ages 1–18; 53% male; 25% Hispanic; 60% White) from 34 cohorts of the National Institutes of Health-funded environmental influences on child health outcomes consortium were included in analyses. Results from generalized linear mixed models replicated previous studies showing that associations between prenatal cannabis exposure and ASD traits in children are not significant when controlling for relevant covariates, particularly tobacco exposure. Child biological sex did not moderate the association between prenatal cannabis exposure and ASD. In a large sample and measuring ASD traits continuously, there was no evidence that prenatal cannabis exposure increases the risk for ASD. This work helps to clarify previous mixed findings by addressing concerns about statistical power and ASD measurement.

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Implications and quantifications of marijuana use regarding neonatal outcomes

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Legalization of marijuana is increasingly steadily which supports more widespread use and a growing perception of less risk of harm, however study of its effects on newborns when used by pregnant women is still lacking. Current physicians and health care practitioners are not fully informed to advise best practice regarding marijuana use during pregnancy. Additionally, methods to measure marijuana usage and effects are still limited and require further development, therefore assessment of whether not pregnant women should use marijuana products is timely and important.

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Cannabinoids and the placenta: Receptors, signaling and outcomes

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In this article, we aim to summarize how phytocannabinoids can impact placental development and function. Specifically, the cannabinoids and their actions at the different receptors are described, with receptor localization throughout the human and murine placenta discussed. Findings from studies that included placental analysis and how cannabinoid signaling may modulate critical developmental processing including cell proliferation, angiogenesis and migration are described. Considering the current research, prenatal cannabinoid exposure may significantly impact placental development, and, as such, identifying windows of placental vulnerability for each cannabinoid will be critical to elucidate the etiology of fetal outcome studies.

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Impact of Prenatal Cannabis Use Disorder on Perinatal Outcomes

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With legislative changes to cannabis legalization and increasing prevalence of use, cannabis is the most commonly used federally illicit drug in pregnancy. Our study aims to assess the perinatal outcomes associated with prenatal cannabis use disorder.

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Totality of the Evidence Suggests Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Does Not Lead to Cognitive Impairments: A Systematic and Critical Review

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Author: Ciara A. Torres, Christopher Medina-Kirchner, Kate Y. O’Malley, and Carl L. Hart Published in Frontiers in Psychology May 2020 Abstract Background Despite limited data demonstrating pronounced negative effects of prenatal…

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Totality of the Evidence Suggests Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Does Not Lead to Cognitive Impairments: A Systematic and Critical Review

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Groundbreaking research reviewed 40 studies examining the impact of prenatal cannabis use and cognitive function. The authors reported, “The current evidence does not suggest that prenatal cannabis exposure alone is associated with clinically significant cognitive functioning impairments.”

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The use of cannabis for Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).

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Authors: Gideon Koren, Rana Cohen
Journal of Cannabis Research, 30 January 2020
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Background: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) responds only partially to standard antiemetic medications. Cannabis has been known to possess antiemetic effects and there are several medicinal cannabinoids used as anti -emetics for cancer chemotherapy. Its favorable use for HG has be…

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Women’s perspectives about cannabis use during pregnancy and the postpartum period: An integrative review.

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Authors: Hamideh Bayrampour, Mike Zahradnik, Sarka Lisonkova, Patti Janssen
Preventive Medicine, February 2019
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Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug among general and pregnant populations. Despite recommendations to abstain from cannabis use, its use is increasing during the perinatal period. In this integrative review, we aim to understand women’s perspectives about the heal…

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Marijuana Use by Breastfeeding Mothers and Cannabinoid Concentrations in Breast Milk.

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Authors: Kerri A. Bertrand, Nathan J. Hanan, Gordon Honerkamp-Smith, Brookie M. Best, Christina D. Chambers
Pediatrics, September 2018
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Marijuana is the most commonly used recreational drug among breastfeeding women. With legalization of marijuana in several US states and a 1990 study in which authors documented psychomotor deficits in infants breastfed by mothers using marijuana, the…

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Marijuana use during and after pregnancy and association of prenatal use on birth outcomes: A population-based study.

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Authors: Jean Y. Ko, Van T. Tong, Jennifer M. Bombard, Donald K. Hayes, John Davy, et al
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, June 2018
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BACKGROUND: We sought to describe the correlates of marijuana use during and after pregnancy, and to examine the independent relationship between prenatal marijuana use and infant outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We used state-specific data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring…

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Transfer of Inhaled Cannabis Into Human Breast Milk.

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Authors: Teresa Baker, Palika Datta, Kathleen Rewers-Felkins, Heather Thompson, Raja Kallem, Thomas Hale
Obstetrics & Gynecology, May 2018
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the transfer of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolites into human breast milk after maternal inhalation of 0.1 g cannabis containing 23.18% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. METHODS:
In this pilot pharmacokinetic study, breast milk samples were col…

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