Canadian youth use Cannabis more than any other legal drug and statistics indicate on average
they begin using as early as junior high. When compared to alcohol and tobacco, cannabis has the
fastest rate of transition to substance use disorder among adolescents. Cannabis affects brain development in areas responsible for decision making, judgment, planning and problem solving. THC induces neurotoxic changes that can result in effectively altering the functions responsible for emotional and cognitive performance, impulse control, memory, coordination, appetite, pain, mood, pleasure and motivation.

Breastfeeding is an ideal choice for infants, but if the mother is using marijuana – risks outweigh the benefits. THC is a fat-soluble liquid, which goes through the mother’s bloodstream, and stored in body fat, resulting in high concentrations in the brain and body. THC accumulates in the mother’s breast milk and may produce severe cognitive and behavioural consequences. Infant may also show signs of sedation, reduced muscle tone, poor sucking response, and digestive issues. Other effects include; irritability, excitability, exaggerated startle responses, and diminished crying in newborns. Some studies have found decreased motor development at 1 year of age.

Cannabis is one of the most widely used legal drugs in Canada. The legalization of Marijuana served to reinforce the belief that there were no health risks associated with using Marijuana. Medical research has now identified a number of health risks with the use of Cannabis. However, knowledge about the potential risks of use during pregnancy, infants, toddlers, and adolescence remain largely unknown by the general public. Cannabis is the most common psychoactive substance used by women of child-bearing age, and the most commonly used drug among pregnant women. On average THC levels are 7 times higher, than in the past, increasing the harmful effects of Marijuana.
MYTH: It is a commonly held belief that the Placenta, which provides nutrients and oxygen to the fetus through the mother’s bloodstream does not cross the placenta.
FACT: THC rapidly crosses the placenta. Cannabis can stay in the mother’s body for weeks, depending on the strength, how often it is used, and the mother’s metabolism. While some mothers use Cannabis for morning sickness, and pain, the latest research shows that no amount of Cannabis is safe during pregnancy. The effects can be passed onto the fetus through the placenta. Research indicates that infants exposed to Cannabis in the womb, when compared to mother’s who did not use Cannabis during pregnancy, found that it effected the baby’s mental and physical development, as well as higher risks of being born too small and too early.