Michigan legislators may soon vote to slap a warning label on marijuana products aimed at pregnant and nursing mothers.
While it is discouraged by medical professionals, some women use cannabis products during pregnancy to ease the effects of morning sickness.
The Journal of the American Medical Association Tuesday released a pair of studies linking marijuana use during pregnancy with low birth weights and an increased risk of pre-term birth.
“The current data should spark genuine concern about the association of cannabis use in pregnancy,” an accompanying JAMA editorial concludes, though its authors add more research is necessary.
The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony Tuesday on a pair of bills (HB 4126 and HB 4127) which will require a warning label on marijuana products in Michigan:
WARNING: USE BY PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING WOMEN, OR BY WOMEN PLANNING TO BECOME PREGNANT, MAY RESULT IN FETAL INJURY, PRETERM BIRTH LOW BIRTHWEIGHT OR DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS FOR THE CHILD.
Representative Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) admits a warning label may not discourage some pregnant women from using marijuana.
“That being said, I will say a warning label has a substantial impact on forming public opinion and change the decision making of those on the fence,” says Albert.
Michigan’s marijuana industry doesn’t oppose adding the warning, but industry spokesmen worry about covering their products with a variety of warning labels.
Robin Schneider is the executive director of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association.
“There’s just not a lot of room left (on packaging) for warning labels,” says Schneider. She would like to see the state require one condensed warning label.
Michigan is one of ten states where recreational marijuana use is legal, as well as medicinal use. Consumption of cannabis products is expected to rise as commercial sales of recreational products begin later this year.
