Although marijuana is legal in many states, it might not be a good idea for pregnant women to use it.

Here are 7 facts pregnant women should know about marijuana:

• It is the most abused drug used during pregnancy. Most pregnant women don’t report its use until after delivery which statistically means 18%.
• It is legalized in 33 states (or 67%) in the US for medicinal purposes and 11 states and Washington, DC for recreational purposes.

• Marijuana is absorbed in fat which means it can enter the brain, usually remains in the body for approximately 20 to 36 hours and 4 to 5 days for “heavy” users
• The human brain and nervous system have receptors that can attach to a part of marijuana called a cannabinoid and affect its development.
• There is an associated risk of stillbirth but that could also be associated with the effects of cigarette smoke
• Infants of mothers who smoke marijuana weekly were less than 5 pounds
• “Medical Marijuana” cannot be prescribed for pregnant women because it is not regulated or evaluated by FDA therefore there is no information regarding dosing, formulation or how it’s delivered.
• Bottom line:  Medical and recreational marijuana is not recommended during pregnancy or in breastfeeding mothers.