Answer
Research on medical cannabis and child development separates three groups: fetuses exposed before birth, adolescents who use cannabis, and children treated with cannabis-derived medicines. Findings differ by group.
Prenatal exposure
THC crosses the placenta. Cohort studies link prenatal cannabis use to lower birth weight and to small effects on attention and impulse control in children ages 6 to 12. Confounders include tobacco use, income, and other substance use. The effects are small at the group level. Individual outcomes vary.
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Adolescent use
Adolescent cannabis use is associated with lower scores on tests of verbal memory and attention. Some studies report IQ differences of 2 to 8 points. Twin studies that control for shared family factors find little to no effect on IQ. Frequency and dose matter. Whether effects persist after long-term abstinence is debated.
Pediatric medical use
FDA has approved one cannabis-derived drug, Epidiolex (cannabidiol), for seizures in Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. In trials, CBD reduced monthly convulsive seizure frequency by about 40 percent compared with placebo. Side effects include drowsiness, decreased appetite, and liver enzyme elevation. Trials lasted about 14 weeks. Long-term cognitive data are limited.
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Unknowns
- Long-term cognitive effects of THC in children treated with medical cannabis.
- Effects of inhaled cannabis on the developing lung and brain.
- Dosing standards for pediatric patients.
Regulatory position
The American Academy of Pediatrics opposes non-medical cannabis use in children and adolescents. It supports research on cannabis-derived medicines for specific conditions. The FDA has not approved whole-plant cannabis for any pediatric use.