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A6 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 19 June 2019

Marijuana use doubles in U.S. pregnant women to 1 in 14

By LINDSEY TANNER questioned during a pe-
AP Medical Writer riod when rising numbers of
CHICAGO (AP) — Pot use states legalized marijuana
in pregnancy has doubled for medical or recreational
among U.S. women and is use. It’s legal in 10 states for
most common during the both uses but remains ille-
first trimester, government gal federally.
research shows. A separate study on mari-
Overall, 7% of pregnant juana use among pregnant
women, or 1 in 14, said Canadian women, pub-
they used marijuana in the lished in the same journal,
past month. That’s from a adds to evidence suggest-
nationally representative ing that pot use in preg-
health survey in 2016-17 nancy may lead to prema-
and compares with a little ture birth. A journal editorial
over 3% in 2002-03. notes that like similar previ-
Some studies have linked ous studies, the Canadian
marijuana use during research can’t rule out
pregnancy with increased whether other factors that
chances of premature may have contributed.
birth and low birthweight. The editorial warned
Animal studies have linked against relying on imper-
high doses early in preg- fect data to make judg-
nancy with fetal brain ab- This Nov. 27, 2015 file photo shows two marijuana buds displayed for a customer in Denver. ments about potential
normalities, but whether Associated Press harms from marijuana use
typical use in humans poses of the authors of the gov- Association. First trimester Volkow said. Among wom- and said more rigorous re-
similar risks is unknown, said ernment study. Marijuana use jumped from almost en who weren’t pregnant, search is needed. Volkow
Dr. Nora Volkow, director use during pregnancy “is 6% to 12%. Many women the rate of marijuana use said U.S. government re-
of the National Institute on not worth the risk,” she said may have used pot before increased from almost 7% strictions on marijuana re-
Drug Abuse. Tuesday. The study was they learned they were to nearly 12%, or 1 in 8. search are “very much an
“Because we don’t know presented at a medical pregnant, or used it to ease The results are based on issue” and have hampered
exactly how harmful it is, it’s meeting Tuesday and pub- morning sickness, although health surveys involv- efforts to answer funda-
better to err on the side of lished online in the Journal few women said a doc- ing nearly half a million mental questions about
caution,” said Volkow, one of the American Medical tor had recommended it, U.S. women who were pot use.q
Marijuana industry aims at environmental, ethical goals

group’s executive director, tion, a cannabis industry tices that reduce environ-
Kim Wilson, said in a state- group. mental impacts.
ment. “Things like this can narrow Other guidelines seek to
As the once-illegal marijua- the gap of trust between promote responsible use,
na economy evolves into industry, community and education and scientific re-
a multibillion-dollar industry policy makers. With more search.
backed by a flood of invest- trust should come less of a Wertman noted that the
ment dollars, the guidelines perceived need to over- guidelines steered around
appeared aimed at assur- regulate and over-tax,” sticky matters like labor
ing consumers those com- Spiker added. practices, and mentioned
panies are operating with The goal of the five-page only lightly a touchstone is-
their interests in mind, not “social responsibility frame- sue in the industry: repairing
just focused on the bottom work” is for the industry to the damage from decades
line. be recognized for prac- of tough marijuana en-
The cannabis marketplace tices in good corporate forcement, even for minor
“is Wall Street now,” said citizenship. It outlines guid- infractions, which hit the
Adlai Wertman, a professor ing principles that include black and other minority
of social entrepreneurship transparency and respon- communities hard.
at the USC Marshall School sibility, such as prohibiting The guidelines could also

In this April 15, 2019, file photo, a vendor makes change for a of Business. illicit sales to youth. help businesses gain main-
marijuana customer at Rev-Up a cannabis marketplace in Los The group is “saying that The group said its members stream acceptance and
Angeles. even though we are Wall have agreed to adhere to shake off a lingering stoner
Associated Press Street, we are still aligned the guidelines that will set stereotype the industry has
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD Growth Corp. and other with the values our custom- “a standard for the new sought to escape.
Associated Press major companies, issued ers have.” and rapidly growing can- Morgan Fox, a spokesman
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An al- guidelines aimed at mini- And it could have other nabis industry worldwide.” for the National Cannabis
liance of large marijuana mizing greenhouse gas payoffs. While light on specifics, Industry Association, said
businesses had a message emissions and promoting “Anything the industry does the document said mem- the industry has an oppor-
for the public Tuesday: ethical conduct and re- to show responsibility — bers will develop polices to tunity “to set the standard
We’re good corporate citi- sponsible pot use. both as an operator and to manage greenhouse gas for corporate responsibil-
zens. The emerging legal indus- their community — is in their emissions, packaging ma- ity and build an emphasis
The 45-member Global try is “in a unique position benefit,” said Adam Spiker, terials that reduce the con- on ethical environmental,
Cannabis Partnership, to set a new bar for socially executive director of the sumption of raw materials business, and social prac-
which includes Canopy responsible practices,” the Southern California Coali- and follow farming prac- tices into its foundation.”q