Chart created by Examiner.com.

In an eye-opening study which examined 2,964 infants it was found that those with cannabis in their system had a huge decrease in their likelihood of early mortality.

In the 2-year study infants which were drug-negative had an average mortality rate of 15.7 deaths per 1,000 live births. Cocaine and opiate-positive infants had a mortality rate of 17.7 and 18.4 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Those that tested positive for cannabis, on the other hand, had an average mortality rate of 8.9 deaths per 1,000 live births – a 44% decrease in comparison to the infants that were drug-negative.

This number (8.9 deaths per 1,000 live births) included those who tested positive for cannabis, but also tested positive for cocaine and/or opiates.

Of the babies who tested positive for only cannabis, and no other substance (157 babies total), not a single one died during the course of the study. Literally a 0% mortality rate.

Although this is just one study, the results – which indicate that cannabis could drastically reduce infant mortality – are extremely promising. We look forward to further research on the issue.

The study, which was published in the journal Pediatrics (the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics), can be found by clicking here.

– TheJointBlog