Key Question: With all the misinformation about marijuana that is found in popular publications and internet sites, how can the health care provider and the public health system step out in front of this problem and create a prevention ecology?
Description: With the legalization of recreational use of marijuana, rates of use during pregnancy have steadily increased. At the same time, public health messages have failed to communicate the possible negative effects of marijuana on pregnancy and child outcome. This session will describe the action of marijuana on the developing fetal brain, its impact on maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, and implications of prenatal marijuana exposure on the child’s neurodevelopment. This information can be used to create strategies for prevention.
Learning objectives:
At the completion of this session the participant will be able to:
Discuss the impact of prenatal marijuana use on pregnancy outcome.
Discuss the impact of prenatal marijuana exposure on the developing fetal brain.
Describe the implications of prenatal marijuana exposure on the child’s long-term development and learning.
Analyze a science-based prevention strategy that can be communicated to patients on a personal level and used as a public health message.