With the legalization of marijuana (also known as cannabis) in many states for medical and/or recreational use, many women find themselves asking Is it safe to use marijuana during pregnancy?
The Short Answer
The short answer to this question is no – marijuana is not considered safe for use during pregnancy.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says, “No amount of marijuana has been proven safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.” [1]
The Effects of Marijuana on a Pregnant Woman
Many women may believe that marijuana is a safe substance to use during pregnancy because it comes from a plant, so it must be “natural.” But there are actually 500+ chemicals found in marijuana, and those can have some harmful effects on a pregnant woman. [2]
Research has shown that marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to increased risks for high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and placental abruption [3], which can be life-threatening for both the infant and the mother [4].
The Effects of Marijuana on the Baby
The chemicals discussed earlier can also affect the baby. These chemicals can pass through the placenta to the baby, and they can also be passed through breast milk to nursing infants. Research shows that babies exposed to marijuana in the womb are more likely to require time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), have lower birth weights, lower Apgar scores (a test to determine the baby’s condition/health after birth), and higher stillbirth rates (when a baby has died in the womb). [5] There are also studies showing that marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful for the baby’s neurocognitive abilities (possibly resulting in lower IQ scores and other issues) [6].
What if I’m Using Marijuana for Pregnancy Symptoms?
Many women who are using marijuana during pregnancy may be doing so to ease pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, pain, and stress. It’s important to note that there are other – safer – options to help ease pregnancy discomfort. If you are pregnant and are looking for a way to manage these symptoms, be sure to reach out to your doctor for help.
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Sources:
- Marijuana and Pregnancy. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024, June 6) https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana/marijuana-pregnancy#:~:text=No%20amount%20of%20marijuana%20has,for%20them%20or%20their%20children
- Cannabis Use During Pregnancy. American Academy of Family Physicians. (2024, Aug.) https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2024/0700/cannabis-during-pregnancy.html#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20known%20safe%20amount%20of%20cannabis%20use%20during%20pregnancy
- Surprising Number of Women Using Marijuana During Pregnancy. WebMD. (2024, Aug. 29) https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20240829/surprising-number-of-women-using-marijuana-during-pregnancy
- Serious Maternal Complications Linked with Use of Marijuana Before and Early in Pregnancy, Study Says. CNN Health. (2024, July 22) https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/22/health/marijuana-pregnancy-risk-wellness/index.html
- Cannabis Use During Pregnancy. American Academy of Family Physicians. (2024, Aug.) https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2024/0700/cannabis-during-pregnancy.html#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20known%20safe%20amount%20of%20cannabis%20use%20during%20pregnancy
- Prenatal Marijuana Exposure and Intelligence Test Performance at Age 6. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2008, March) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18216735/