Breastfeeding & Marijuana with Maya Bunik, MD and Erica Wymore, MD (S5:E12)

Colorado and Washington became the first states to fully legalize the recreational use of marijuana back in 2012. Since then, many states have followed. Although marijuana is usually a natural and non-harmful drug, researchers do not know the effect THC can have on a fetus during the prenatal period or on infants during breastfeeding. As a start, researchers set out to understand how much THC is excreted in breast milk and for how long.

Today, I am happy to be speaking with my colleagues, Dr. Maya Bunik & Dr. Erica Wymore.

Dr. Bunik is the Medical Director for our Child Health Clinic and is a Professor for General Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Wymore is a Neonatologist here at Children’s. She is also an Assistant Professor for Pediatrics Neonatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Resources cited in this episode: 

• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment - Healthcare Provider Resources   Marijuana: Health care provider resources | Department of Public Health & Environment (colorado.gov)
• 1(800) CHILDREN will connect patients with substance use disorder resources 
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) - Online Training — SBIRT Colorado 

Do you have thoughts about today's episode or suggestions for a future topic? Write to us, chartingpediatrics@Childrenscolorado.org.