Grant: Team Grant: Cannabis Research in Priority Areas - Neurodevelopment

In October 2018, recreational cannabis became legal in Canada; before then medical use was legal. Babies are exposed to cannabis their mothers use during pregnancy and through breastmilk. Research-informed information for parents and families is scarce and pregnant women receive mixed messages around the safety of cannabis. The Canadian government recommends avoiding it since there is no known safe level to use during pregnancy. Exposures have a higher risk of causing permanent health changes in growing and developing babies. Long term outcomes of cannabis exposure are not known. Some teens who use cannabis have permanent brain changes and an increased risk of mental health problems. Much less is known about second-hand cannabis exposure, especially in young children. We do not know whether cannabis smoke exposes children to biologically significant levels of cannabis. This study will follow women from early pregnancy until their babies are 18 months old. Mothers will report if, when and how they use cannabis. Their sleep, activity, mental and physical health and the baby's birth, development, behavior and health will be monitored, including a formal assessment at 18 months. The family will use an air quality monitor and passive environmental samplers for mothers and babies. They will also complete an environmental assessment. Breastmilk and urine will be tested for cannabis to see if babies absorb cannabis used by mothers. Passive sampler analyses will provide evidence of other exposures that could confuse the picture, like tobacco smoke and air pollution. Sleep and mood are related and impact development, so maternal and infant sleep will be monitored. Cannabis, used medically and for recreation, presents potential risks and benefits to expectant mothers and families. This study will provide valuable information to help families make informed choices about cannabis and set the stage for future research on the long term effects of cannabis exposure on children.