Empower Tusc is raising concerns it has about cannabis use during pregnancy and the impact it could have on the development of young children. 

Chair Kerry Metzger says it’s become increasingly common for pregnant women to use marijuana to cope with morning sickness and lower back pain. 

But new research from nationwide children’s hospital links prenatal cannabis usage to decreased attention spans and more aggression in children by the time they turn five.

Metzger says a lot of physicians don’t screen for marijuana during prenatal visits, but Empower Tusc believes they should, and they could suggest alternatives for their relief of their symptoms.

Metzger says the studies show about one in five women have admitted to smoking marijuana during pregnancy since legalization in the state.  

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