Doctors, experts urge caution as some moms say marijuana makes them better parents
Some mothers say using marijuana makes them better parents, but experts warn to be careful when using pot marijuana around children.
Moms like Rachel Gibbs, a content creator in Texas, share their experiences on social media; some call themselves “canna moms” or “garden moms.” Videos tagged with these terms have been viewed millions of times on social media platforms.
“We’re not doing this to escape.” Gibbs told ABC News. “We don’t do this to be bad mothers. We don’t do this to get away from our children. We use it as a tool.”
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Using marijuana can affect many parts of the body, and how it affects a person depends on several factors, including frequency of use and mode of intake, such as smoking, vaping, or mixed with food. according to Centers for Disease Control and PreventionIn addition to affecting a person’s heart, brain and lung health, marijuana use can also negatively affect coordination and driving.
Addiction experts warn that marijuana and cannabis should not be viewed as a harmless substance or a safer alternative to alcohol.
Chairman of the American Psychiatric Association Council on Addiction Psychiatry, Dr. “Alcohol and marijuana both impair reaction time,” Lief Fenno told ABC News. “They impair decision-making. And if someone is caring for a young child or some children, they may need to participate in life-saving care, make emergency decisions, operate a motor vehicle safely, and using marijuana regularly before engaging in these behaviors may impair your ability to do that.”
ABC News – PHOTO: Mother of two Rachel Gibbs is a content creator who says using marijuana has made her a better parent.
Gibbs said marijuana helps her control her maternal emotions and quiets the static in her head.
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“It almost blocks out the background noise,” Gibbs said. “I’m not outside. I’m not in the fridge all day. It’s not like I’m just sleeping on the couch. My kids aren’t running around, that’s not the point.”
The mother of two said using marijuana has greatly benefited her parenting of her 3- and 5-year-old children.
“I can get down to their level,” Gibbs said. “I have more patience. It calmed my nerves, calmed the fight-or-flight battle [response]. It’s ‘frozen’ now and ‘let’s figure it out together’ [mode]It’s like we’re on the same team.”
Other mothers agree that marijuana use benefits their parenting.
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“I know a lot of people feel embarrassed, and I’m here to help relieve that. Gardening makes me a better parent,” said a mother named Amy. TikTok video last year.
Rachel Gibbs | Amy Cali Sober | Tessa via TikTok – PHOTO: Some moms are opening up about marijuana use and motherhood on social media.
Gibbs said he uses marijuana four to five times a week and insists he maintains strict rules regarding marijuana use in his home.
“If I’m using marijuana, there’s another adult home,” Gibbs said. “I never drink and drive. There is never real marijuana around our children. They don’t see it.”
Latest data available National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that more than 64 million Americans used marijuana last year. HKM also estimates that approximately 3 in 10 people experience a marijuana use disorder.
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ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Tara Narula said research on marijuana use is still limited, but some suggest it may not provide all the benefits some users claim.
“Marijuana is not a medicine. We don’t have the rigorous trials that we do for FDA-approved drugs. We don’t really have the science to understand the benefits and harms,” Narula said. “In fact, the most recent research study we have is from last year, which was a large review — there were 50 studies — looking at marijuana’s relationship to mental health disorders, and they didn’t find any benefit in terms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or psychotic disorders.”
When deciding to use marijuana, American Academy of Pediatrics To avoid normalizing substance use, it recommends that adults over 21 do not use in front of children, do not smoke around children to minimize the effects of second-hand smoke, and keep marijuana or cannabis products locked and out of reach of children.
The AAP also says people under 21 should not use marijuana.
