Examples
Hash, budders, waxes, shatters, edibles
Routes of Use
inhalation, ingestion
Observed Symptoms
Adult: tachycardia, hypertension, agitation, sedation, psychosis, anxiety, vomiting
Prenatal Exposure
There is no known safe amount of marijuana use during pregnancy. Potential risks include small for gestational age, low birth weight, and impact on future cognitive development.
Breastfeeding
THC from marijuana passes into breastmilk and may affect development. The amount of time THC can be present in breastmilk is not entirely known and can depend on the chronicity of use. The long term impact on the child is also not entirely understood. However, it is not recommended to use marijuana while breastfeeding.
Hash, budders, waxes, shatters, edibles
Routes of Use
inhalation, ingestion
Observed Symptoms
Adult: tachycardia, hypertension, agitation, sedation, psychosis, anxiety, vomiting
- Withdrawal: irritability, cravings, sleep disturbance, headaches, mood changes
- Child: sedation, ataxia. Symptoms can be more prolonged in children
Prenatal Exposure
There is no known safe amount of marijuana use during pregnancy. Potential risks include small for gestational age, low birth weight, and impact on future cognitive development.
Breastfeeding
THC from marijuana passes into breastmilk and may affect development. The amount of time THC can be present in breastmilk is not entirely known and can depend on the chronicity of use. The long term impact on the child is also not entirely understood. However, it is not recommended to use marijuana while breastfeeding.
Marijuana is legal, so what? This can be a tricky question to answer. A few questions to consider when determining if there is an impact of marijuana use on a child may include:
- When and where are families using? Where are their kids when this is happening?
- If it’s being ingested, how is it being stored so kids can’t accidentally ingest it?
- What’s the reason for use? If to get high, what’s the high like? How long does it last?
Once we find out answers to questions like these and many others we can help families determine if/how marijuana use is impeding caregiving. Then we have an opportunity to educate families on what we see and plan together around how to maintain safety for kids.
Urine
Blood
THC concentrations can be evaluated for acute use and toxicity. After smoking, concentrations will peak and fall quickly (within 15-30 min), while ingestion will rise slower and lower (2-4 hours). Concentrations can be difficult to correlate with intoxication depending on the tolerance of the user. Blood tests are typically not sent, as history and symptoms typically verify exposure.
Meconium
Arguably better than umbilical cord to evaluate for maternal use, usually testing for THC metabolites (THC-Carboxy).
Umbilical Cord
Assays for THC parent compound and metabolites can be tested to evaluate for maternal use.
Hair
Assays for THC parent compound and metabolites can be tested to evaluate for exposure.
- Urine screens test well for THC and related metabolites. Tests can be positive for 1 week after acute naïve use, and several weeks with chronic use.
- Confirmatory testing is suggested if results are unexpected, otherwise screening results are fairly reliable.
Blood
THC concentrations can be evaluated for acute use and toxicity. After smoking, concentrations will peak and fall quickly (within 15-30 min), while ingestion will rise slower and lower (2-4 hours). Concentrations can be difficult to correlate with intoxication depending on the tolerance of the user. Blood tests are typically not sent, as history and symptoms typically verify exposure.
Meconium
Arguably better than umbilical cord to evaluate for maternal use, usually testing for THC metabolites (THC-Carboxy).
Umbilical Cord
Assays for THC parent compound and metabolites can be tested to evaluate for maternal use.
Hair
Assays for THC parent compound and metabolites can be tested to evaluate for exposure.
