ABSTRACT
The actual effect of marijuana use on human pregnancy outcome and on the fetus is controversial. Although controversy remains about the effects of perinatal marijuana use on pregnancy, research supports a long-lasting effect on the developing brain. A retrospective study of 139 cocaine-abusing women revealed concomitant use of other drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, diazepam, heroin, and methadone to occur in 92.8% of users. Cocaine use has increased, but its use still pales when compared with that of marijuana and alcohol. Burkett et al. found that the combination of cocaine with tobacco and other drugs, excluding alcohol, had more effect on the incidence of SGA and LBW infants than cocaine alone. Despite warnings from the Surgeon General and massive public health campaigns, alcohol use during pregnancy continues to be a common problem. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug; its use has increased in reproductive-aged women. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is its main pharmacologically active component.
