Pregnant Sexual Minority People Saw Pregnancy as a Turning Point for Cannabis Use

Three themes emerged: (1) cannabis use was contextually adaptive, changing with social situation, mental health, and stress but not directly related to sexuality; (2) pregnancy served as a potential turning point, with most trying to reduce or abstain; (3) facilitating factors for reduction included focusing on financial costs, social environment changes, health guidance access, and replacement hobbies.

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 13 sexual minority participants from the YoungMoms study who used cannabis before or during pregnancy. Data analyzed using thematic analysis.

Sexual minority young people have higher rates of both cannabis use and unintended pregnancy than heterosexual peers, yet are rarely studied in prenatal substance use research. Understanding their specific experiences can inform more inclusive prenatal interventions.

Prenatal substance use interventions are typically designed for heterosexual women. This study suggests that while pregnancy can motivate cannabis reduction for sexual minority people similarly, their underlying reasons for use (higher stress, mental health burden) may require additional support.

Very small sample (13 participants), qualitative design not generalizable, participants from one study cohort, sexual minority identity encompasses diverse experiences, recall bias about prenatal behaviors