Epigenetic imprint: An underlying link to developmental effects of prenatal cannabis exposure

Recent years have been transformational in regard to the perception of the health risks and benefits of cannabis with increased acceptance of use. This has unintended neurodevelopmental implications given the increased use of cannabis and the potent levels of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol today being consumed by pregnant women. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the molecular effects of cannabinoid exposure during the prenatal period, in which the endogenous cannabinoid system plays a fundamental role in neurodevelopmental processes. We also highlight the important contribution of epigenetic reprogramming as a critical link underlying the molecular processes that maintain the long-term impact of such an early exposure into adulthood.