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Should Marijuana Be Legal?

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Introduction There are many researches educating pregnant women about the danger of cigarettes, alcohol and women are also aware of the potential negative effects of cigarettes, alcohol on fetus development. However, not many the data or research addresses specific effects of marijuana on pregnancy women because women who use marijuana also tend to smoke cigarettes and are more likely to use other drugs such as cocaine and alcohol. Thus, it is difficult to identify the precise effects of marijuana on pregnant women and fetus (Leemaqz, 2016.). Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United State (Murray & McKinney, 2014). According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 40-60% of marijuana users continue to use during pregnancy. Studies have shown that marijuana crosses the placenta producing negatively affect brain development, and significant increases the risk of pre-term birth. Proposition 64, the California Marijuana Legalization Initiative for adult use just passed after election, California is added into the list of 26 states legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational purpose which could increase the number of women using marijuana during pregnancy even higher in the future studies. Due to above evidences, doctors warn pregnant women or women planning to pregnancy or breastfeeding women should discontinue use of marijuana and should consider alternative therapy.
Effects of Marijuana Use on Pregnancy Marijuana

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