Arizona Supreme Court: "Maternal Use of Cannabis for Morning Sickness Doesn’t Constitute Child Neglect"

The Arizona Supreme Court has declined to hear any further challenges to an appellate court ruling which determined that child welfare officials acted inappropriately when they placed a woman on a state registry for having consumed medical cannabis while pregnant. 

The Court’s order, issued Thursday, removes the mother’s name from appearing on the state’s registry, which is accessible to employers performing background checks.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety initially took action against the mother, Lindsey Ridgell, in 2019 when her newborn tested positive for cannabis. Last April, justices on the Arizona Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the prenatal exposure in this case did not constitute “neglect” because the mother was medically authorized under the law to consume cannabis products to treat symptoms of morning sickness. 

"CBD Oil and Pregnancy: Safety & Efficacy For Maternity"

Pregnancy can be both a beautiful and uncomfortable experience.

Many expecting mothers experience cramping, insomnia, anxiety, morning sickness, and many more symptoms throughout the course of their pregnancy.

One of the newer and more exciting health supplements to hit the market recently that’s been shown to support many of these symptoms is CBD Oil.


This oil is made from one of the active compounds in the hemp plant known as cannabidiol (CBD).

In a previοus article we talk about endocannabinoids and that their role is so crucial that they effect all the major stages of our lives from conception, embryo implantation, birth to the early days of our lives, so let's see what is CBD oil, how do you take it, and what effects can it have during your pregnancy? 

What is CBD Oil and Is It Safe During Pregnancy?

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of many different compounds found in the cannabis plant. The chemical structure of CBD is unique in that it closely resembles some of the hormones produced by our body known as the endocannabinoids.

The similarities in the structure of CBD to these hormones allows CBD to interact with the endocannabinoid system — made up of a series of receptors around the human body. This system has many uses but the most important is its role in regulating homeostasis (balance).

This ability to interact with regulatory systems like the endocannabinoid system is what gives CBD so many health benefits. Instead of working through just one organ, it’s able to interact with organs all around the body.

"Cannabinoids Co-Creators of Life... From Conception to Breastfeeding"

Probably you have hear that cannabinoids & the endocannabinoid system play an important role in our daily lives regulating and maintaining homoeostasis in our bodies.

But did you know that actually their role is so crucial that they effect all the major stages of our lives from conception, embryo implantation, birth to the early days of our lives?

Male fertility...

Both CB1 and CB2 receptors are found on sperm cells. The level of endocannabinoid AEA is crucial for control of the percentage of swimming and live sperm (viability and motility), the modulation of the energy expenditure and control of the number of testosterone producing cells (Leydig cells).

These effects are mediated through the CB1 receptor. CB2 receptor activation is responsible for the start of the production of sperm and the regulation of its swimming speed.

"Study Finds Miscarriage May Be Prevented By THC"

Cannabinoid receptor problems in the placenta may cause miscarriage, according to new study. 

The role that the endocannabinoid system plays in reproduction has been studied for years. 

There is strong support of its involvement in maintaining the health and function of the placenta, and thus preventing miscarriage.

There are at least four kinds of receptors in the human body, each activated by cannabinoids. The most commonly known receptors are CB1 and CB2. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g (PPAR-g) and the G-protein coupled receptor GPR55 are additional receptors that interact with cannabinoids.  Science has more recently discovered that ion channels also participate in conveying messages of cannabinoid molecules, including TRPV1 and TRPM8.

-The Placenta and Cannabinoid Receptors

The main function of the human placenta is nourishment, oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, and protein biosynthesis for the fetus. The placenta is its own organ, consisting of many different cell types. Metabolism within the placenta creates the microenvironment necessary to support development of human life.

Scientists discovered that placental cells express cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which suggests that cannabinoids from cannabis consumption may impact placenta functioning.

Cannabinoids in Breast Milk & The major influence of cannabinoid receprtors during pre- and postnatal development

A research indicates that the human body has in fact evolved to both produce and utilize its own cannabinoids.

It comes as no surprise that these endogenous compounds are transferred to the infant via cannabinoids in breast milk. If the body naturally has cannabinoid receptors it stands to reason that it must then produce its own cannabinoids.According to the findings of several major scientific studies, human mothers naturally produce cannabinoids in breast milk and furthermore these cannabinoids are vital for proper infant development. They are classified as a specific type of neuromodulatory lipid. 

"one of the main functions of these cannabinoids in cannabis breast milk is to help a newborn child to feed by stimulating the suckling process".

The medical implications of these developments are far reaching and suggest a promising future for cannabinoids in paediatric medicine for conditions including ‘non-organic failure-to-thrive’ and cystic fibrosis.

Human breast milk has been traditionally considered sterile; however, recent studies have shown that along with the cannabinoids in breast milk, it also contains and supplies a completely natural cocktail of probiotic bacteria (commensal and mutualistic) to the infant gut.

Along with stimulating your babies feeding response these compounds also protect the infant against infections and contribute to the maturation of the immune system, among many other yet to be scientifically proven functions. 

Without cannabinoids in cannabis breast milk, infants would not be stimulated with a desire to feed. Observations of how babies act after being fed show that they exhibit symptoms of cannabinoid use.

Another research suggests that the endogenous cannabinoids ("endocannabinoids") and their cannabinoid receptors have a major influence during pre- and postnatal development. 

-High levels of the endocannaboid anandamide and cannabinoid receptors are present in the preimplantation embryo and in the uterus, while a temporary reduction of anandamide levels is essential for embryonal implantation. In women accordingly, an inverse association has been reported between fatty acid amide hydrolase (the anandamide degrading enzyme) in human lymphocytes and miscarriage.

-CB(1) receptors display a transient presence in white matter areas of the pre- and postnatal nervous system, suggesting a role for CB(1) receptors in brain development. 

-Endocannabinoids have been detected in maternal milk and activation of CB(1) receptors appears to be critical for milk sucking by newborn mice, apparently activating oral-motor musculature. Fourth, anandamide has neuroprotectant properties in the developing postnatal brain.


-Prenatal exposure to the active constituent of marihuana (Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol) or to anandamide affects prefrontal cortical functions, memory and motor and addictive behaviors, suggesting a role for the endocannabinoid CB(1) receptor system in the brain structures which control these functions. 

Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com
https://www.kalapa-clinic.com

https://cannabiscure.info