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  |  Pregnancy  |  Concerns  |  Is it safe to smoke marijuana?
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Is it safe to smoke marijuana?

by Peg Plumbo

question
A close family friend is insisting on smoking marijuana during her pregnancy. Can you provide or direct me to information about the possible ill effects on her child?

answer
It was thought for many years that marijuana had little effect. The latest tests have shown it interferes with the normal production of male sperm, which may result in an abnormal baby. Some studies also show a relation to intrauterine growth retardation, as with cigarette smoking. However, this is dose-related and marijuana is not usually smoked as frequently as cigarettes. Anytime smoke is forced into the alveoli of the lungs, it is competing for oxygen which could be getting to the baby. In addition, because marijuana is not under government quality controls, any number of chemicals could be contaminating it, which could be harmful to the baby.

Hope this helps.

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