Psychoactive THC from marijuana can stay in breast milk for six WEEKS after new moms quit using it, raising concerns the drug may alter babies’ brain development
Researchers looked at 25 pregnant women who had a history of marijuana use when admitted to hospitals for delivery
Within two weeks of giving birth, the women had levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of 5.5 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) on average in their breast milk
This is higher than the blood THC level of five ng/mL or higher needed to charge drivers with a DUI, in some states
By six weeks post-delivery, the THC levels in breast milk had dropped to about two ng/mL, low but still detectable