Marijuana use has nearly DOUBLED among pregnant women in California and the rate is set to soar in 2018

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California was the fist state in the US to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. It is now legal in 29 states and Washington, DC. 

The jury is still out on exactly what adverse health effects the drug may have. It has long been used to help subdue nausea in cancer patients, but 2017 also saw the first reported marijuana overdose in a baby.

Though little clear evidence exists on the effects of marijuana on developing human fetuses, animal studies have revealed that it may disrupt brain development.  

The Kaiser Permanente researchers analyzed medical records from more than 30,000 pregnant women in its insurance network in California. 

In 2009, only about four percent of pregnant women were using marijuana.

By 2016, that number had nearly doubled to seven percent. 

‘Of concern’ to the researchers was that fact that marijuana use was particularly common among younger pregnant women.

More than 20 percent of pregnant teenagers tested positive, and 19 percent of expectant mothers between 18 and 24 had used marijuana while they were pregnant. 

More than half of all Americans reported having tried marijuana at some point in their lives, and about 22 percent of those qualify as regular users. 

In spite of its wide use, the new research suggests that pregnant women are still aware of some stigma against them for partaking in a toke or an edible. 

28bc8c76c749b87340fadac03c35ea58 Marijuana use has nearly DOUBLED among pregnant women in California and the rate is set to soar in 2018

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