Lit Tits - A Cannabis Blog Series Vol.7 : Don’t Be A Canna Karen
- Chardá Bell, IBCLC, CBE, CD
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
Cannabis use is legalized in many states in the U.S. and its beginning to make its integration into society become normalized. The evolving landscape of legal policies around cannabis also have me wondering about the broader narrative of social justice and family well-being.
Addressing Parental Fears
Parents in legalized cannabis jurisdictions often grapple with fears surrounding disclosure of use. The concerns are multifaceted, from potential legal repercussions to social scrutiny and impacts on custody arrangements. These fears underscore broader societal misconceptions and the ongoing need for destigmatization.
A social justice lens demands an inclusive approach to allaying parental fears. This involves advocating for policy reforms that prioritize family well-being over punitive measures. Education campaigns aimed at dispelling myths and promoting nuanced discussions can shift cultural perceptions, encouraging empathy and informed decision-making.
Story Time:
Let me share a story about how I confronted the challenges within the Child Welfare System (CWS) to preserve a crucial breastfeeding relationship and uphold a child's right to human milk, all in the face of intrusive actions by Child Protective Services (CPS).
Let's be clear: CPS often fails to safeguard children truly in danger and instead wreaks havoc on families, especially those of Black and brown communities across America daily.
Regularly, I receive distressing calls about breastfeeding mothers who've had their infants taken from them by CPS. And at least twice a year, I hear from detained parents denied the ability to express milk for their babies while awaiting court appearances.
Monthly, I field inquiries about divorce and custody cases with ties to breastfeeding rights. Sadly, I also assist human trafficking victims and domestic violence survivors subjected to reproductive coercion using breastfeeding as a weapon of control.
In all these scenarios, my unwavering focus remains on the child's rights to access the most nutritionally superior first food, human milk, for at least the first two years of life (per the AAP and WHO guidelines).
Recently, a community health worker informed me of a Black infant removed from maternal care just five weeks after birth. The CPS worker assigned to the case, was connected with me for my clinical expertise. However, began grilling me on the safety of cannabis use during breastfeeding, seemingly keen on justifying the separation of mother and child.
I stood firm, citing HIPAA regulations, which prohibit me from disclosing patient health details. Instead, I provided general insights on substance use and breastfeeding. When pressed on cannabis use, I clarified the gray area surrounding its impact. I rightfully affirmed my support for breastfeeding parents who use cannabis, stressing harm reduction strategies and the absence of conclusive evidence on cannabis's independent harm to nursing infants.
To help reframe the narrative, I shared resources emphasizing trauma-informed care with the CPS worker. I urged reconsideration of the situation with the child's well-being and family integrity in mind.
It's confounding that Black and brown families endure such systemic injustices in this era. The separation policies, albeit devoid of auction blocks and whips, mirror the historic violence and family separation inflicted upon us.
In my role, I advocated that breaking family bonds and disrupting a child's secure attachment aren't conducive to community safety or healthy child-rearing. Supporting breastfeeding within child welfare is vital, recognizing children's rights as paramount.
Support for Parental Cannabis Use
In states where cannabis is legal, parents seek acknowledgment that responsible use should not equate to stigma or legal jeopardy.
Parents advocating for cannabis use often cite its therapeutic benefits, such as pain relief, anxiety reduction, and improved sleep, factors crucial to effective parenting.
Engaging Support from Child Protective Services (CPS)
Parents using cannabis fear unwarranted interventions due to persistent stigmas and outdated views and information. CPS involvement should be to prioritize the well-being of children, focusing on genuine risks rather than moral judgments.
As a cannabis advocate and clinician I work to demystify cannabis usage anytime I come in contact with CWS or CPS and this is often. This includes providing evidence of responsible consumption and emphasizing parental competencies unrelated to cannabis use. Building partnerships with CPS rooted in education and mutual understanding can dispel misperceptions and address concerns collaboratively.
Why Advocate for Legalized Cannabis as a Parent?
For many parents, the conversation around cannabis legalization is not just about personal choice; it's about broader issues of equity, social justice, and responsible parenting. The criminalization of cannabis has disproportionately affected communities of color and low-income families, leading to unjust arrests, incarceration, and the separation of families. By advocating for legalization, parents can support policies that prioritize public health, harm reduction, and equitable access to resources.
Advocating for legalized cannabis acknowledges the reality that many parents use cannabis responsibly and that prohibition often pushes cannabis use underground, increasing associated risks. Legalization can pave the way for informed education, quality control, and safer consumption practices.
This is not just about personal preferences; it's a vital social justice issue with implications for family unity, community well-being, and equity. By engaging child welfare services through informed dialogue and emphasizing harm reduction and social justice, parents can contribute meaningfully to the ongoing discourse on drug policy reform. Together, we can create policies that reflect compassion, fairness, and a commitment to building healthier, more equitable communities for all families.
Support for parental cannabis use within a social justice framework is about fairness, education, and family-centered policies. By fostering open dialogues, engaging with support services proactively, and challenging stereotypes, parents can navigate the complexities of cannabis use responsibly and authentically. Ultimately, it's a call for society to evolve in its understanding, promoting equity and compassion in all facets of family life.
I'll continue advocating because breastfeeding is a social justice issue and a public health concern. When breastfeeding rates plummet and access to human milk is impeded, our societal fabric sadly becomes frayed.
Let's reframe our perspective and recognize lactation advocacy as fundamental to building healthier, more equitable societies.
Sources & Suggested Reading:
Torn Apart - Dr. Dorothy Roberts
Comentários