Brief commentary on recommending marijuana use

Marijuana is made of flowers and leaves of Cannabis. And it s the most commonly used illegal drug in most parts of the world. From a medical point of view, its main active ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana is the most common psychedelic drug that is used by young and pregnant women (1). Statistics show that the marijuana s rate of the use is 2 to 5 percent common in pregnant women and this rate can increase up to 28 percent due to circumstances like urbanization, age and economical and social problems. However, exact figures of the rates of use are not known. But it is expected that with legalization of marijuana in some countries, these figures be much higher than the reported figures (2). Marijuana use reduces fertility in both genders. In women, marijuana use cause period to stop. The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, can reach the fetus and enter blood. This means that using any rates of marijuana can affect the fetus. It seems like the fetus itself has used marijuana and causes the fetus to be exposed to substantial changes. Marijuana prevents oxygen and food to reach the fetus and causes fetus growth to delay. Fetus length (height), foot length, head circumference and weight decrease (3). In some cases, marijuana can cause preterm delivery (birth), abortion and stillborn baby delivery. Problems due to marijuana use in babies are almost lifelong and cause substantial changes in the babies ‘future. There are lots of evidence that show babies born from addicted mothers, have low birthweight and after being born, starting babies first breath is with delay and probably it the cause of their Asphyxia (4). These babies have the same symptoms as babies with alcoholic mothers: tremor, visual impairment and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Investigations show that in babies that are exposed to marijuana in their mother s womb, the following items have increased in the first 6 months of their life: asthma, lung infections and other respiratory infections. Such babies when reach the age of 4 will get involved in the following problems: difficulty in speaking, slow Memory, decline in physical skills, decline in abilities to learn different sports (3). These babies may be withdrawn, hyperactive, coward or inattentive. The increased prevalence of childhood cancers are seen in babies that are exposed to marijuana in their mother s womb. More interesting fact is that if a child s father uses marijuana a year before baby s birth, or if a father uses marijuana while having a baby, during his wife s pregnancy and after his child s birth, the danger of skeletal muscle cancer and sudden infant death increases in their babies (5). According to the above mentioned statements, and undeniable side effects of marijuana use in pregnant women, the health policymakers must plan for control and reduction of drug use especially marijuana