1.3 Impact of Prenatal Cannabis Exposure on Neonatal Brain Connectivity

Abstract

Cannabis use during pregnancy has been increasing, particularly with widening legalization of cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) readily passes the placenta, and the endocannabinoid receptor system is fully developed in the first trimester with cannabinoid receptors prevalent in regions important for social-emotional development including the amygdala, hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex. How cannabis use is impacting the structure and function of the neonatal brain, particularly with the higher potency of cannabis that is currently used, remains unclear.