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The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study1

The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study

#The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study

The topic of pregnant women smoking marijuana is often considered taboo and rarely discussed openly. However, in Jamaica, it is more accepted for expectant mothers to use cannabis to alleviate nausea, stress, and depression, often in the form of tea or tonic. This cultural context plays a vital role in shaping how marijuana is perceived and used by pregnant women, and it is important to recognize the difference in approach between countries where cannabis use is heavily regulated and places like Jamaica, where it is more normalized.

In the late 1960s, Melanie Dreher, a graduate student, was selected by her professors to conduct an ethnographic study on marijuana use among pregnant women in Jamaica. Her objective was to observe and document the usage and effects of cannabis in this context. Dreher’s research involved studying 24 Jamaican infants who had been exposed to marijuana prenatally and comparing them to 20 infants who had not been exposed. Her findings were published in her book, “Women and Cannabis: Medicine, Science, and Sociology,” which included her field studies. This book remains a cornerstone in cannabis research, offering valuable insights into the potential benefits and risks of cannabis use during pregnancy in a cultural setting.

#The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study

While many studies conducted in North America have suggested that marijuana use during pregnancy can lead to birth defects and developmental issues, these studies did not specifically isolate the effects of marijuana but instead grouped it together with more harmful substances like alcohol, tobacco, meth, and heroin. This has led to much confusion and controversy regarding cannabis’s true impact on pregnancy. In contrast, Dreher’s study provided a more nuanced view, focusing solely on marijuana’s role, rather than lumping it together with substances that are universally recognized as harmful.

In Jamaica, Dreher discovered a culture that had its own self-regulation of marijuana consumption, viewing it as a spiritual practice. The social norms surrounding cannabis use in this context were vastly different from those in Western countries, where cannabis is typically treated as a controlled substance. To assess the impact of the herb when used during pregnancy, she used the Brazelton Scale, a widely recognized neonatal behavioral assessment tool that evaluates infant behavior.

#The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study

The scale identifies the baby’s strengths, adaptive responses, and potential vulnerabilities. The researchers continued to evaluate the children from the study until they reached the age of 5. The results indicated no negative impact on the children; in fact, they seemed to be thriving. These findings stand in stark contrast to other studies that have shown developmental delays and behavioral issues in infants exposed to substances like alcohol or tobacco in utero.

However, Dreher’s findings were not well-received by some, particularly her funders at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). They decided not to continue funding the study and did not readily release its results. This illustrates the significant barriers that researchers may face when conducting studies that challenge widely accepted scientific narratives, particularly when the topic is as controversial as cannabis use.

#The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study

Although the March of Dimes organization provided support, Dreher was informed not to resubmit her study to NIDA. This meant missing the opportunity to follow the study participants through adolescence and adulthood. Had her research been allowed to continue, it could have provided invaluable data on the long-term effects, if any, of prenatal cannabis exposure.

Dreher, who now serves as the dean of nursing at Rush University and holds degrees in nursing, anthropology, and philosophy, along with a Ph.D. in anthropology from Columbia University, had no previous experience with marijuana before her research in Jamaica. She now advocates for its use and believes that Raphael Mechoulam, the scientist who first isolated THC, deserves recognition for his work. Mechoulam’s research has been foundational in advancing our understanding of cannabis, its chemical properties, and its potential medicinal uses.

#The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study

However, Dreher understands that medical professionals are hesitant to do anything that might jeopardize their professional standing, despite the proven medicinal effects of marijuana, particularly for pregnant women. The stigma surrounding cannabis use, coupled with legal and institutional restrictions, has made it difficult for many to fully embrace its therapeutic potential, even in situations where it may offer benefits.

Dreher’s study was not the first scientific investigation into ganja smoking in Jamaica. In 1975, Vera Rubin and Lambros Comitas conducted an exhaustive medical anthropological study titled “Ganja in Jamaica—A Medical Anthropological Study of Chronic Marijuana Use.” Unfortunately for the National Institute of Mental Health’s Center for Studies of Narcotic and Drug Abuse, this study concluded that despite its illegal status, ganja use in Jamaica was widespread and involved longer duration, higher frequency, and greater THC potency compared to use in the United States, yet it did not result in detrimental social or psychological consequences.

#The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study

While studies like Dreher’s and Rubin and Comitas’ offer important perspectives on the potential risks and benefits of marijuana use during pregnancy, they also highlight the need for further research. More studies need to be conducted to fully understand how cannabis interacts with pregnancy and fetal development, particularly in a world where laws regarding marijuana are rapidly evolving.

👉Conclusion:

Although marijuana use during pregnancy remains a taboo topic in many countries, Melanie Dreher’s research in Jamaica reveals a different perspective. Her study shows that, despite widespread marijuana use among expectant mothers in Jamaica, there was no negative impact on the health of their newborns. Dreher demonstrated that the unique cultural practices and self-regulation surrounding marijuana use in Jamaica may lead to different outcomes compared to Western approaches, where marijuana is often grouped with more harmful substances. While Dreher’s findings did not receive widespread acceptance, her work opens the door for further research into the safe use of cannabis during pregnancy and its potential therapeutic benefits.

#The Effect Of Cannabis On Pregnant Women And Their Newborns Study

Posted in: Feeding Baby, Studies

Nancy Hamm cancs, caisc

Founder of Gentle Venture’s Training Center

Contact Ms. Hamm at [email protected] or 602-412-8497

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