THC is a Risk to Pregnant Women Says California -Is That True or Not?

Californian Agency Declares THC in Cannabis a “Risk to Pregnant Women”

thc and pregnant women california

Did you know that THC is a risk to pregnant women? Nope? Neither did I and neither did science! However, a little known committee in California known as “Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee” in Sacramento.

This group of people recently declared that THC in cannabis is a risk to pregnant women and could cause a world of problem for cannabis businesses operating within the state. This is because it falls under Prop. 65 or better known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, which requires labeling warnings for chemicals which are deemed “dangerous” and “allows residence, advocacy groups and attorneys to sue on behalf of the state and collect a portion of civil penalties for failure to provide warnings” - Source

The problem with this statement is that it isn’t based in science whatsoever. In fact, that is the purpose of this article – to point out the faulty mechanisms utilized that determined a policy change that could affect thousands of cannabis businesses operating in the state of California.

Who is the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee?

Firstly, we need to eradicate any suspicion that this comes from a place of malice. I don’t believe that the scientist on the panel are against cannabis whatsoever. I do believe that they are woefully unskilled at making a decision on the negative impact of THC on the fetus.

This is mainly because of the information available on the subject matter. Due to general drug prohibition, the research on the effect of THC specifically on fetal development is scarce to say the least. The information that is available does not provide an accurate picture of the entire issue as a whole.

For instance, some of the studies they used were from “self-reported use” which means that under the scientific process – the data cannot be considered due to the lack of control within the intake process. Self-reported is not a metric that would withstand the clinical trials that the FDA require to pass as an “approved drug”.

Another problem with the data is that most of the research only utilized “Cannabis smoked”. They ignored products that contain THC but is not smoked like lotions, tinctures and edibles. When we factor in these studies, the overall results of “THC“ being detrimental to the fetus are not conclusive or reliable.

Furthermore, some of these studies failed to separate cannabis smokers and tobacco smokers, meaning that the effects very well could have come from smoking nicotine.

In other words, all of the research they used to come to the conclusion about the “dangers of THC” is faulty. Yet, this decision will have a real impact on the cannabis industry.

How could this negatively affect the Cannabis industry in CA?

Firstly, the fact that attorneys can “sue on behalf of the state” if a company does not provide “adequate” labeling means that the industry just opened its doors to mass litigation. Lawyers looking to shake down a cannabis company can do so easily. They simply have to point out that the “business didn’t follow the strictest” of guidelines when it comes to labeling – and this would substantiate legal activity.

The lawyers might not win the case, however cannabis businesses would much rather prefer to “not go to court”. Thus, most cannabis businesses would simply agree to paying $5,000 to $10,000 on such extortion cases as opposed to battling it out in a lengthy court case.

The big question we should be asking ourselves is “Why is the State of California placing more pressure on their cannabis industry?”

California – One of the Worst Performing Cannabis Marketplaces

While California is the biggest cannabis marketplace, it is also one of the worst performing ones. This is because there is a lot of competition from illegal growers. This is mainly due to overregulation and a high price tag on the goods.

With the THC labeling requirement, it only makes the goods more expensive and places more strain on a already strained legal industry. California is being overzealous with their cannabis industry and as a result are driving up the prices and making the illegal market flourish.

Couple this with potentially greedy lawyers suing cannabis companies for a quick buck and you can almost guarantee that the black market will continue to thrive.

By What standards?

We know that the safety of the consumer is very important. However, to make false claims about something that “may be or may not be” is not only disingenuous, it’s also irresponsible. Right now, the committee do not have enough scientific evidence to completely make an assumption that THC is harmful to fetuses, and they know it.

These aren’t idiots. The panel is comprised of plenty of doctors and highly educated people. However, if this is their standard for scientific scrutiny – I begin to doubt the weight of their credentials very much. If a moron like me could see that their scientific standard is subpar – then what does that say about them?

Ideologues or idiots? Or is that the same thing? You tell me!