Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jul 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Authors: Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen
Page: 37

PREGNANT AND SMOKING POT? BETTER COOL IT!

Alanis Morissette, the Canadian songstress who penned the tune Mary
Jane, admits to using pot in the past to juice up her creativity. But
when she became pregnant - her son Ever is four now - she gave up the
weed.

You Oughta Know what she knows: Smoking pot while you're pregnant or
breastfeeding is dangerous for your fetus and your child. Studies show
that when you expose your fetus to marijuana, chances are your child
will have lower test scores on visual problem-solving, visual
analysis, and visual and motor co-ordination, plus behavioural
problems and a decreased attention span. These are lifelong handicaps.

Unfortunately, according to a recent report from the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, marijuana is the most commonly
used illicit drug during pregnancy, with roughly half of female
marijuana users continuing to smoke it while pregnant.

Self-reported prevalence of marijuana use during pregnancy ranges from
two to five per cent of all pregnant women and 15 to 28 per cent of
young, economically deprived urban women.

Switching to edible pot may not be less hazardous for your offspring -
the psychoactive chemicals still go into your bloodstream and then
into the fetus'. A recent report shows 25 per cent of the legal
products deliver a lot more of pot's active ingredient, THC, than
their labels say.

If you want to mellow out while you're pregnant, we suggest yoga for
pregnant women (details at www.sharecare.com) or a stress-reduction
app for your smartphone.
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MAP posted-by: Matt