Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are being urged not to use any products containing CBD or THC by US health officials.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the proliferation of CBD products making “questionable health promises” may be a serious risk to expectant mothers.
The US Surgeon General recently advised consumers that cannabis use during pregnancy may affect foetal brain development, because THC can enter the foetal brain from the mother’s bloodstream.
The Surgeon General also advised that cannabis may increase the risk of a newborn with low birth weight, premature birth and potentially stillbirth.
The FDA adds that breastmilk can contain THC for up to six days after use and may affect a newborn’s brain.
An FDA statement reads: “There is no comprehensive research studying the effects of CBD on the developing foetus, pregnant mother, or breastfed baby. However, based on what we do know, there is significant cause for concern.
“High doses of CBD in pregnant test animals have caused problems with the reproductive system of developing male foetuses.
“In addition, based on what we already know about CBD, we expect that some amount of CBD will be transferred to babies through breast milk.”
It adds: “There are many unanswered questions about the science, safety, and quality of products containing CBD.”
The FDA is clamping down on companies illegally selling CBD products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure serious diseases such as cancer.
In August former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned that all CBD added to food in the US is still illegal.
