CPS has always taken a dim view of moms doing drugs during pregnancy. In fact, babies who test positive for marijuana, heroin, cocaine or any other illicit substance in Michigan at birth are very often taken from their mothers and placed in foster care. With the recent legalization of recreational weed in Michigan, a lot has changed in the way CPS handles a situation where a baby is born testing positive for marijuana. But that doesn’t mean they’re on board with mom’s getting high during pregnancy. And as it turns out, they may have good reasons for that…

Studying the effects of illegal drugs on fetuses was difficult in the past.

In the late 1980s, doctors figured out that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can cross the blood barrier in the placenta and be absorbed by the fetus. But beyond that, there wasn’t much they could do to study the effects of marijuana on a fetus. After all, it’s very hard to study the effects of an illegal substance on unborn babies when no one is allowed to use that particular substance, and admitting that you have can earn you a trip to prison and the loss of your newborn. But legalization of marijuana in many states around the US has changed that, and researchers are finally being able to see exactly how smoking weed during pregnancy affects a fetus.

Does smoking weed during pregnancy lead to low birth weight?

A 2017 study, where scientists reviewed over 10,000 studies on cannabis, revealed that smoking marijuana during pregnancy is tied to low birth weight. However, they weren’t able to prove that it’s the weed itself, and not just the act of smoking, that results in underweight babies. The reasons for this is because smoking – whether it’s weed, cigarettes, or anything else – increases carbon monoxide in the smoker’s blood stream. In a pregnant woman, this makes it much harder for the fetus to get enough oxygen, which is critical to its development. So the advice doctors would give to pregnant women is to avoid smoking of any kind, weed or anything else, while they’re pregnant.

Smoking weed during pregnancy isn’t a good idea, no matter what!

Join us next time for more info on how smoking weed during pregnancy can affect a fetus, and why it’s a good idea to avoid it. Until then, if CPS has contacted you in any way, for any reason, call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245. They may have some good reasons for not wanting moms to use marijuana during pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean they have any business telling you how to parent your kids. And you definitely don’t want them trying to take your kids away for any reason. Our skilled CPS defense attorneys can help you protect your parenting rights, no matter what the situation is.