Dear all,

When considering cannabis use amongst pregnant and breastfeeding women, I think it is pertinent to take into account the work of Dr Melanie Dreher. Her work is significant as it was done with communities in Jamaica where cannabis is seen and treated differently to how others see it and treat in other countries. As an aside, it is also of interest that the funding to continue with her work was pulled when her results came in. Needless to say, the results were not what were expected. 

Here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDV5HhmP4UI

and not such a good quality video but some *very* interesting commentary including mentions of Dr Peter Fried, someone who has also done much work in the area:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9WorIM0RhA

and the details of the study here:

http://cannabisclinicians.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Dreher-Pediatrics.pdf

Clearly more research is needed but cannabis as a substance is *not*, and should not be considered as, at all similar to tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, heroin and any other street drugs that it is often lumped in with. Indeed, the significance of Dr Dreher's study is in part due to its ability to isolate cannabis use from other substances. Plus, as usual, and as we see with these Jamaican mothers and their babies, context, both cultural and personal, is of vital importance in considering something like cannabis use in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
 
Enjoy :), and kindest regards, 

             ***********************************************

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