Study Finds No Negative Health Effects for Children Living in Cannabis Grow Operations

Study Finds No Negative Health Effects for Children Living in Cannabis Grow Operations

A widely under-publicized study released in 2013 by the National Institute of Health found that “there was no significant difference between the health of the children living in cannabis grow operations and the comparison group of children”.

These findings, according to researchers, “challenge contemporary child welfare approaches and have implications for both child protection social workers and the policymakers who develop frameworks for practice.”

The study notes that under current law, children are often taken away from their parents when their caught growing cannabis, even if the parents are qualified patients under state law. Researchers say that this makes little sense, given that a child’s health is unaffected; however, no one can legitimately argue that it doesn’t harm a child’s health and well-being to be unexpectedly removed (sometimes for years, or even permanently) from their parents.

Here’s the method that researchers used to come to their conclusion:

The study examined the household, family and individual characteristics of 181 children found living in cannabis grow operations in two regions in British Columbia, Canada. Data was collected on-site on the physical characteristics of the homes, the health characteristics of the children, and their prescription drug history. Comparison of prescription drug use was also made with a group of children from the same geographic areas.

The study, conducted by researchers at the School of Social Work at the University of British Columbia, can be found by clicking here.

– TheJointBlog