This is something we struggle with at the hospital where I work. Hale lists marijuana as an L5. It's use is also illegal in the US and the state where I live/practice. There are MDs in the NICU and among those who work with the clinic population who feel the benefits of breast milk outweigh the risks of breastfeeding. As LCs, we in the Lactation Center ethically feel we must work within the law and within the recommendations of medication reference books such as Hale and we do not encourage the mother to offer her milk until she has a clean tox screen. 

I would be very interested if any of you who have a policy could share it - and the basis for its adoption, no matter which stance it supports - so that I can pass it along to my co-workers and other medical staff. 

Cindy Garrison BS, IBCLC 
practicing in Pittsburgh PA 

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