Effects of Marijuana Usage During Pregnancy

Marijuana also known as cannabis is the most commonly abused illegal drug in the United States. An active chemical is present in marijuana called delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Signs and symptoms of the marijuana addiction are feeling sleepy, lack of concentration, inflammation in eyes, cravings for sweat and increased appetite.

Regular use of marijuana can have adverse effects on the delicate group of people like pregnant women and the following are the effects of marijuana usage on the pregnant women:

• Use of the marijuana by the pregnant women can cause the fetus to be born at a low birth weight than the normal children.
• Fetuses exposed to marijuana and its components in uterus, can be born addicted to marijuana as well as suffering from developmental disabilities.
• Fetus exposed to marijuana grows slowly when compared to the fetus which is not exposed to the same drug.
• Women who smoke marijuana during pregnancy are at the risk of a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.
• Babies who are born to the mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy exhibit fetal alcohol syndrome, which has symptoms such as, problems with the nervous system, being born too small and abnormally shaped heads.
• Marijuana not only effects the fetus but it also effects the mother who is abusing marijuana in many ways. It increases the heart beat, may also cause cancer because of the carcinogens present in it. Marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory.

The above effects are very detrimental for both mother and baby.

Factors Which can Alter The Result Of Marijuana Drug Test

As the use of drugs is increasing day by day, drug testing is also increasing along with the drug usage. While taking the case of marijuana, mostly urine test is performed for detection. The test can be done in any place whether it may be in schools, colleges, work places etc.

But, there are some factors which alter the results or getting false positives. Some of the factors are human errors, medications etc.

Human Errors:
In general, after screening test is done, a confirmatory test is done. For the confirmatory test the urine sample is sent to the laboratory, for conducting Enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique. During the conduction of the test, human errors will occur. These human errors are caused because of labeling or because of lack of proper training for the staff, because of negligence. All these make the result to be positive which is not true.

Medications:
Some of the medications will also give false positives for the tests which are done. So, many medication companies are warning regarding the false positives of the test. So, the tested person should be careful while the marijuana drug test is done. He/She should bring the prescription as well as the medications while the test is done. Some of the medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, medications which are used for controlling nausea and vomiting may also cause false positives when marijuana drug test is conducted.

Other factors:
Some of the Kidney disease medications, liver disease medications, Hemp seed oil, diabetes medications will also give false positives for the marijuana test. So, it is better to carry a bottle or pill of medications to show.

These are the different factors which lead to false positives of marijuana drug test.

How Marijuana Abuse is Related to Crime

There are many adverse effects which resulted because of the Marijuana usage. Those effects which will result because of the addiction may not be personal sometimes. They even effect the community or the society around us. If the addiction is in such a way that if it is spoiling both the health and causing violent situations then in those cases, the addict should be admitted to the treatment centers.

Crime and marijuana are not related in all the cases. According to a research the police officials opine that there is no proof that all the crimes are done with the marijuana usage only.

People consume marijuana in the combination with other drugs. In those cases, the crimes done will be more but one cannot come up with the declaration with out the tests being done. By using different types of testing methods like saliva testing, urine testing, blood testing, sweat testing and hair testing methods one can detect whether a person is using Marijuana or not.

The crimes which are dependent indirectly on the marijuana are selling the marijuana drug. As the drug is illegal one , one can get arrested. Marijuana has a huge effect on driving. Marijuana consumption results in impaired driving. There will be an increase in the fatalities because the person experiences loss of judgment, lack of concentration, impaired vision etc., But, the person will be aware of that situation and will drive slowly. Even if the person drive slowly, some accidents may occur because of the effects of marijuana.

Sometimes the behavioral changes like depressions, stress will also end up with the violence and crimes. The person who gets addicted wants money to buy the marijuana then in those cases he may steal amount. Unless particular test is done by the doctors, one cannot end up with the conclusion that the marijuana has lead to the crime. If once detected then in those cases the punishments and the penalties may be more.