The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals urged the Legislature to change the law to allow pregnant medical marijuana card holders to be prosecuted for child neglect.
I am absolutely pro choice.
But I agree that drugs during pregnancy (weed, booze, anything that might harm the future child) should be prevented.
Which, I feel, puts me in an odd spot by my apparent hypocritical application of “My body, my choice”.
So, I think it is to do with the intention.
If someone intends to carry a baby to full term, then they should be responsible for ensuring that future child’s well being.
If that person makes the choice not to carry the baby to full term, then yeh: their body, their choice. I have no issue with them taking drugs or whatever.
This has me thinking. Do we prosecute for child neglect for cigarettes? As far as I’m aware we don’t. I don’t think that people should smoke cigarettes while pregnant but it hurts the baby just as much and it would make the ruling consistent
This article is in regards to medical marijuana. I think, for many medical marijuana patients it’s not worth the risk to the fetus, but I don’t think it’s always so clear cut. If it’s being used to prevent seizures, for example, changing medications for that is probably more harmful to the mother and the child than continuing with the cannabis. Doctors make calls like this all the time - psych meds are a common “bad for the fetus, but worse for everyone concerned if discontinued” case.
Honestly, I think the risks and benefits of any medication on a developing fetus - including medical marijuana - need to be a decision that is made by the doctor and the pregnant woman, and not by a state or federal government.
I am absolutely pro choice.
But I agree that drugs during pregnancy (weed, booze, anything that might harm the future child) should be prevented.
Which, I feel, puts me in an odd spot by my apparent hypocritical application of “My body, my choice”.
So, I think it is to do with the intention.
If someone intends to carry a baby to full term, then they should be responsible for ensuring that future child’s well being.
If that person makes the choice not to carry the baby to full term, then yeh: their body, their choice. I have no issue with them taking drugs or whatever.
This has me thinking. Do we prosecute for child neglect for cigarettes? As far as I’m aware we don’t. I don’t think that people should smoke cigarettes while pregnant but it hurts the baby just as much and it would make the ruling consistent
I don’t think anyone has actually been charged with neglect over cigarettes, but this (https://www.southerncaliforniadefenseblog.com/2014/10/should_smoking_and_drinking_wh.html) implies that it is possible to do so. But yeah, very weird overall double standard given how dangerous cigarettes are.
This article is in regards to medical marijuana. I think, for many medical marijuana patients it’s not worth the risk to the fetus, but I don’t think it’s always so clear cut. If it’s being used to prevent seizures, for example, changing medications for that is probably more harmful to the mother and the child than continuing with the cannabis. Doctors make calls like this all the time - psych meds are a common “bad for the fetus, but worse for everyone concerned if discontinued” case.
Honestly, I think the risks and benefits of any medication on a developing fetus - including medical marijuana - need to be a decision that is made by the doctor and the pregnant woman, and not by a state or federal government.
Well said