Nevada campaign urges women not to use pot while pregnant

ADVANCE FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 30 AND THEREAFTER - FILE - This Oct. 26, 2010 file photo shows a marijuana plant flourishing under grow lights at a warehouse in Denver. It took 50 years for American attitudes about marijuana to zigzag from the paranoia of "Reefer Madness" to the excesses of Woodstock back to the hard line of Just Say No. And now, in just a few short years, public opinion has shifted so dramatically toward pragmatic acceptance of marijuana that even those who champion legalization are surprised at how quickly attitudes are changing and states are moving to approve the drug for medical use and just for fun.. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File) (AP)

LAS VEGAS – The state of Nevada is preparing a public information campaign to address the use of marijuana by pregnant women and highlight the potential harm the drug can do to a fetus.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports  public service TV and radio advertisements will be airing in December in response to research that shows more pregnant woman are using pot.

STUDY PROMPTS CALL TO EXAMINE FLU VACCINE AND MISCARRIAGE

A federal study last year found that marijuana use by pregnant women in the U.S. increased from 2.4 percent in 2002 to 3.9 percent in 2014.

In 2015, before Nevada legalized marijuana for adult use, self-reported data from women indicated that 5.5 percent used the drug during pregnancy.

Dr. John DiMuro, Nevada's chief health officer, said more recent reports from hospitals suggest more expectant mothers are using marijuana.