Marijuana Once Again Shown to Harm Unborn Children

Marijuana

Marijuana use during pregnancy has once again been shown to hurt unborn children.

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University published a study in the journal JAMA Pediatrics this week analyzing data on marijuana use during pregnancy from 2021 through 2024.

Researchers determined that marijuana is associated with babies suffering from low birthweight, being small for their gestational age, being born prematurely, and even dying during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Unfortunately, marijuana has been found time and time again to be harmful to unborn children.

A 2022 study published in JAMA Pediatrics showed children and adolescents face an increased risk of mental disorder if their mothers used marijuana during pregnancy.

A 2023 study published in the journal Frontiers In Pediatrics found marijuana use during pregnancy could decrease a newborn’s birthweight by approximately one-third of a pound.

The study also found newborns exposed to marijuana in utero suffered from smaller head circumference — which could indicate inadequate brain development during pregnancy.

And a 2024 study found women who used marijuana during pregnancy faced 631% greater risk of fetal death.

All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Bad Idea on the Bayou: Louisiana Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Kratom

Drugs,

Lawmakers in Louisiana are considering a bill to allow the sale of the drug kratom under certain circumstances.

Kratom is a dangerous drug that is often marketed as a dietary supplement. The federal government has advised public officials to prohibit kratom, and states like Arkansas have done so.

The Mayo Clinic has called kratom “unsafe and ineffective,” writing,

Poison control centers in the United States received more than 3,400 reports about use of kratom from 2014 through 2019. These included reports of death. Side effects reported included high blood pressure, confusion and seizures.

Louisiana House Bill 253 would generally let people age 21 or older buy and use kratom. The proposal is similar to a very bad bill that Arkansas lawmakers soundly defeated in April.

The powerful interests who benefit from the sale of kratom generally do not make the public health or safety of everyday people a high priority. That’s why policymakers and public health officials need to protect families by prohibiting these dangerous drugs rather than simply regulating them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Fort Smith Couple to be Tried in Child THC Overdose Case

Marijuana,

Local news outlets report a Fort Smith couple will be tried jointly in a case concerning THC overdose by a child.

THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana.

KNWA reports,

Kelli Casey, 31, and Roy Casey, 31, were arrested on April 8 on first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and maintaining a premises for drug activity charges. Both have pleaded not guilty to those charges. . . .

A probable cause affidavit said that on Feb. 7, Fort Smith police officers were contacted by a hospital regarding an unresponsive toddler who was flown to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

Hospital staff determined the child had acute respiratory failure and secondary THC poisoning due to overdosing on THC, according to the affidavit. . . .

The affidavit said officers searched the home and found 11 grams of marijuana, 20 THC liquid vape cartridges and two bongs with THC wax residue on the kitchen counter. There was also a film of wax residue on multiple items in the home.

We have written repeatedly about the harm that THC can cause to children. Nationwide, THC products are sending kids to the emergency room.

Earlier this year, USA Today reported 11 middle schoolers in New York were hospitalized on Monday after a classmate gave them gummies laced with THC.

In March, health officials in North Carolina released a report showing a surge in Poison Control calls about children exposed to THC.

This year the Arkansas Legislature passed a good law to help protect people from dangerous drugs like THC. Lawmakers also rejected multiple bills legalizing THC and similar substances.

All of this reminds us once again: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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