Review warns of growing prenatal cannabis use despite mounting evidence of risks
More pregnant individuals are using cannabis in the context of changing policy, despite recent studies showing perinatal and neurodevelopmental risks, and healthcare providers often fail to discuss the topic with patients.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Recent studies show possible perinatal and longitudinal neurodevelopment risks from prenatal cannabis exposure. Healthcare providers are reluctant to discuss cannabis with pregnant patients for various reasons. Increased access through legalization may increase adverse effects.
Key Numbers
Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing in the context of liberalized policy. Healthcare providers cite multiple reasons for reluctance to discuss cannabis with pregnant patients.
How They Did This
Narrative review of recent evidence on prenatal cannabis effects, covering perinatal outcomes, neurodevelopmental risks, and healthcare provider communication barriers.
Why This Research Matters
The gap between increasing prenatal cannabis use and incomplete clinician communication about risks means many pregnant individuals are making decisions without adequate information about potential consequences.
The Bigger Picture
The review highlights a systemic failure: even as evidence of prenatal cannabis risks accumulates, the medical system has not adequately translated this evidence into routine clinical conversations, leaving pregnant individuals to rely on non-medical information sources.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Brief narrative review without systematic methodology. Does not quantify specific risk magnitudes. Healthcare provider perspectives not directly measured.
Questions This Raises
- ?What specific barriers prevent clinicians from discussing cannabis with pregnant patients?
- ?Would standardized screening and counseling protocols improve prenatal cannabis conversations?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- HCPs reluctant to discuss cannabis in pregnancy
- Evidence Grade:
- Brief narrative review provides an overview of current concerns but without systematic evidence synthesis.
- Study Age:
- 2024 review of recent prenatal cannabis evidence
- Original Title:
- Cannabis and Pregnancy.
- Published In:
- Current psychiatry reports, 26(11), 643-649 (2024)
- Authors:
- Bespalova, Nadejda, Bunt, Gregory(2), Hill, Kevin P(9)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05136
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are more pregnant people using cannabis?
Changing cannabis laws, increased availability, growing social acceptance, and some women using it to manage pregnancy symptoms like nausea, despite evidence of potential risks.
Why don't doctors discuss cannabis with pregnant patients?
Healthcare providers cite various barriers including discomfort with the topic, uncertainty about the evidence, concern about stigmatizing patients, and limited training on cannabis counseling.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05136APA
Bespalova, Nadejda; Bunt, Gregory; Hill, Kevin P. (2024). Cannabis and Pregnancy.. Current psychiatry reports, 26(11), 643-649. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-024-01536-x
MLA
Bespalova, Nadejda, et al. "Cannabis and Pregnancy.." Current psychiatry reports, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-024-01536-x
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis and Pregnancy." RTHC-05136. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/bespalova-2024-cannabis-and-pregnancy
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.