Autism with Marijuana


New Scientific Evidence Shows that Marijuana Use by Parents May Increase Risk of Having Child with Autism
Amy Turncliff, PhD Neuroscientist, 2022, March 8

Research suggests an association between the rising diagnosis of autism and parental marijuana use before birth, both in-utero and through epigenetic marijuana exposure.[4, 5] Some of the recent scientific findings indicate potential ways cannabis use may possibly induce neurodevelopmental changes related to autism spectrum disorders, in the children of marijuana users…

Real life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism: Analysis of Safety and Efficacy
Scientific Reports 2019, January 17

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) worldwide. Recently anecdotal evidence of possible therapeutic effects of cannabis products has emerged. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiology of ASD patients receiving medical cannabis treatment and to describe its safety and efficacy. We analysed the data prospectively collected as part of the treatment program of 188 ASD patients treated with medical cannabis between 2015 and 2017. The treatment in majority of the patients was based on cannabis oil containing 30% CBD and 1.5% THC…


Autism and Treatment with Marijuana
Kelley L. Harrison, MA, BCBA, LBA-KS, Thomas Zane, PhD, BCBA-D, 2017 November

Currently, there is no evidence to support the use of marijuana as a treatment for ASD. This, in conjunction with the possible negative side effects, strongly suggests we should not use marijuana for treatment of ASD, at least until the medical community first understands its safety. Until that time, it is clear that the use of marijuana and other related cannabis products are contraindicated for treatment of ASD. Because there is no scientific evidence that marijuana may benefit individuals with ASD, parents and caregivers of children with ASD should strongly consider the adverse side effects that may occur when marijuana is used as a treatment…

Use of Medical Marijuana for Autism
Autism Science, 2017 November

Use of the marijuana plant is not approved by the FDA for any medical purpose. However, three marijuana-related compounds (nabilone, dronabinol andcannabidiol) are approved for specific indications. To date, there is limited research, and no evidence, on the potential short-term, long-term or neurodevelopmental risks and benefits of medical marijuana or its related compounds in ASD…