Pubdate: Tue, 17 Nov 2015
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2015 the Associated Press
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Lindsey Tanner, the Associated Press

DOCTORS URGE WARNINGS AGAINST POT USE IN PREGNANCY

AMA, OB-GYN Group Raising Concerns

Risk of Birth, Behavior Problems for Children

CHICAGO (AP) - Warning: Marijuana use during pregnancy and 
breast-feeding poses potential harms.

That message would be written on medical- and recreational-marijuana 
products and posted wherever they're sold if the nation's most 
influential doctors group has its way.

The American Medical Association (AMA) agreed Monday to push for 
regulations requiring such warnings be written on medicaland 
recreational-pot products and posted wherever they're sold. The 
decision followed studies suggesting marijuana use may be linked with 
low birth weight, premature birth and behavior problems in young children.

Critics say evidence of harm is weak, but while advocates agree that 
more research is needed, they say erring on the side of caution makes sense.

Some studies have linked marijuana use in pregnancy with childhood 
attention problems and lower scores on problem-solving measures. THC, 
the main active ingredient in marijuana, has been found in the milk 
of women who use it while breast-feeding, and some data suggests the 
drug can affect the quality and quantity of breast milk, the AMA's 
new policy says.

There are similar warnings for alcohol and tobacco, "so why not do 
the same thing with marijuana, since it is the most commonly used 
illicit drug during pregnancy?" said Dr. Diana Ramos, a Los Angeles 
physician with the American College of Obstetricians and 
Gynecologists, which proposed the warnings at an AMA policymaking 
meeting in Atlanta.

There's much more scientific evidence of harm from alcohol and 
tobacco than from marijuana, but marijuana has not been proved safe 
to use during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

The AMA voted to adopt the proposal, meaning it's now on AMA's lobbying agenda.

In advice issued earlier this year against marijuana use during 
pregnancy, the OBGYN group cited data putting use during pregnancy at 
about 5 percent nationwide, but as high as 28 percent among some 
urban, low-income women.

Ramos said getting the AMA on board "really gives power" to the 
proposal. She said the ultimate goal is a federal requirement for 
warning signs, but because marijuana use is illegal under federal 
law, the policy seeks local and state measures.

While some women use the drug during or after pregnancy to ease 
nausea, chronic pain or depression, there are alternatives without 
the potential risks, said Dr. Judy Chang, an associate OB-GYN 
professor at the University of Pittsburgh who studies substance abuse 
in pregnancy.

Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and Washington, D.C. 
Recreational use of marijuana also is legal in Washington, D.C., as 
well as in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.

Several states require health warnings on cannabis product labels, 
but Oregon "is the only state that currently requires a point of sale 
warning at dispensaries regarding cannabis use in pregnant or 
breast-feeding women," according to background information in the 
proposal the AMA adopted.

In Colorado, regulators have struggled to spell out guidelines about 
maternal pot use. Labels warn pregnant and nursing women that "there 
may be risks" from using marijuana, but there's no ban on pregnant 
women buying it. Colorado lawmakers this year rejected a ban on 
selling marijuana to pregnant women, and another measure to post 
warning signs in pot shops.

Dr. Larry Wolk, Colorado's chief medical officer, said health 
officials there have created informational material and pamphlets 
about the risks for doctors to give pregnant women. If the effort 
raises widespread awareness, "we may not need legislation," Wolk said.

In Illinois, regulated sales of medical marijuana began last week. 
Scott Miller, an owner of a dispensary in Canton, Ill., said he was 
unaware of potential risks linked with use during pregnancy, but that 
he would not be opposed to warning signs.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom