The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a consumer update advising mothers to abstain from cannabidiol (CBD) use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
The FDA says that products containing CBD now can be found everywhere and often make what the agency calls questionable health promises.
“American consumers are confused by the thousands of CBD products that have flooded the market,” says Grocery Manufacturers Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “There is likely a reasonable role for CBD in the marketplace, but it demands stringent federal regulation that promotes safety and empowers consumers to make informed decisions. It’s past time for FDA to move at the speed of the market.”
According to the FDA, there may be serious risks for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers that use cannabis products, including those that contain CBD.
The FDA also cautions that marijuana should not be smoked around babies and children.
The United States Surgeon General recently issued an advisory stating that cannabis use during pregnancy may affect a child’s brain development and increase the risk of low birth weight.
The FDA says that THC can remain in breast milk for up to six days after using cannabis and may affect a newborn’s brain development, resulting in long-term consequences such as poor cognitive function, hyperactivity.
While there is currently a lack of comprehensive research on the effects of CBD on babies in the womb, breastfed babies, or pregnant mothers, the FDA says that they are continuing to collect and study data on CBD use during pregnancy and breastfeeding to determine whether there might be any harmful effects.
Currently, Epidiolex from G.W. Pharmaceuticals is the only FDA-approved CBD drug product in the United States.
The FDA says that, based on their current understanding, there is a significant cause for concern regarding CBD use among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
According to the FDA, high doses of CBD in pregnant test animals can cause problems in the reproductive system of their unborn male offspring.
The FDA also says that CBD carries risks for people in general such as possible liver damage, extreme sleepiness, and harmful interactions with other drugs.
Though hemp seeds can pick up minute amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD from contact with other plants, the FDA says that the amounts are not enough to raise concerns for any group, including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
The FDA strongly advises pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to refrain from using CBD, THC, or marijuana in any form.
