Risks Associated
With Consumption of Marijuana
Introduction
In
the U.S., marijuana is legal in many states, but it is still not fully
understood how cannabis will affect your health, especially during pregnancy
and breastfeeding.
The
effects of cannabis can be different for everyone and may depend on your age,
weight, dose, and length of use.
Safety concerns
around products
When
you buy a product at the store, you can trust that it has been ratified as good
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Marijuana,
however, is not regulated by the FDA because it's currently illegal under
federal law (although some states do allow medicinal use).
As
such, there are no quality control standards for marijuana products. This means
that what you're buying today may be different than what someone else bought
yesterday or vice versa—even if they live in the same state.
And
since there are no safety standards for marijuana products either, what you're
consuming could contain harmful ingredients like pesticides or mold spores,
even though they aren't listed on any ingredients list.
Lack of product
labeling and regulatory oversight
The
product labeling and regulatory oversight for marijuana are lacking. There is
no information about the potency of the product, its purity, ingredients in it,
the manufacturing process, or storage conditions.
This
is problematic since it can cause unintended outcomes. For example, suppose you
purchase a marijuana-infused candy bar over-infused with THC (the psychoactive
ingredient in marijuana). In that case, you could feel high after eating just one
bite.
Drug-drug
interactions
The
drug-drug interactions of cannabis are well known and include:
Increased
effects from medications that slow down gut transit time (which could consist
of antacids, antidepressants, and antipsychotics)
Decreased
medication effects slow down gut transit time (including opioids or other
narcotics) because you will absorb less of the medication.
Risks to
vulnerable populations
There
are several risks associated with marijuana, which may be heightened for
vulnerable populations. Marijuana can affect people based on age, sex, and
other factors.
Pregnant
women should avoid using marijuana at all costs as it may lead to congenital
disabilities or low birth weight in their children.
People
with heart conditions or mental health issues should also avoid using this drug
because it could lead to complications like stroke or depression.
People
with respiratory problems such as asthma should avoid using marijuana because
it can worsen the condition's symptoms and make breathing difficult for them.
Pregnancy and
breastfeeding risks
The
risks of cannabis use during pregnancy are largely unknown. However, some
studies have shown that prenatal exposure to marijuana may lead to lower birth
weight, increased risk of stillbirth and infant mortality, as well as
developmental problems and learning disabilities in children.
If
you are pregnant or breastfeeding and using marijuana, talk to your doctor
about possible benefits and risks.
It is safest not
to use cannabis when consuming or breastfeeding.
While
cannabis is not physically addictive, it can be psychologically addictive. If
you have been using cannabis for a long time and want to stop, it is best to
seek medical advice.
Do
not consume cannabis if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The risks are still
unknown.
If
you want to use cannabis during this period, speak with your doctor first and
consider switching from smoking or vaporizing (vaping) to ingesting edibles or
oil drops under the tongue.
Conclusion
Cannabis
has many potential benefits, but it is clear that more research needs to be
done.
The
total health effects of cannabis consumption remain unclear, and much of the
online information is conflicting or controversial.
Many
risks are associated with consuming cannabis, from drug interactions to
long-term effects on children exposed during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If
you're considering trying this new drug out for yourself, we recommend
consulting your physician before consumption so they can help you weigh these
risks against those benefits.