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.

 

Blog by Weed Stop
  • Categories: Education