Illinois Doctor Says More Women Are Using Marijuana During Pregnancy

A newly released study from Columbia University suggests that between 2- and 5-percent of women use marijuana while pregnant. Many use it for nausea relief while others use the plant for relief from aches and pains. One Illinois doctor discusses the results of the study and his personal view of marijuana use while pregnant.

Dr. Robert Abrams says that there has been an increase of marijuana use during pregnancies in Illinois, according to Fox Illinois. When asked, women admit to using marijuana. While some children experience no negative side effects, pregnant women should still be aware of the risks of marijuana use. Risks include ADHD, autism and stillbirth to name a few.

Dr. Abrams said, “I would say at least 10% of the patients, when you specifically ask them, they’ve used marijuana at some point during the pregnancy. They’ll tell me, ‘Yeah, I smoke a joint a day and it helps with my appetite and it helps me gain weight.”

Pregnant women cannot get a medical marijuana card in Illinois as pregnancy is not a condition recognized by the state.

Jay Cook, Director of Education at HCI Alternatives, said, “Cannabis is a fantastic anti-emetic, and it helps our cancer patients from getting sick after chemotherapy. It can definitely help a pregnant woman help with morning sickness or any type of nausea that they have. Now, whether that’s okay with them and their physician? That’s between the physician and the patient.”

Should a pregnant woman be approved for another condition and came into HCI Alternatives, she would be offered other forms of marijuana instead of dry flower and smokable forms. They would be offered CBD topicals, ingestible capsules and edibles.

Cook said, “Instead of combusting it – taking a lighter and smoking cannabis – we would probably offer them the capsules that are available, or an edible, or some type of topical cream if they’re going to use it for aches and pains as an anti-inflammatory.”

Most doctors warn against marijuana use while pregnant, so it is important for pregnant women to discuss marijuana use with their doctors before using it to ensure that they are aware of the potential risks.