Pregnant Women With Medical Cannabis Cards Bought 137mg THC Daily on Average

1,185 of 72,992 pregnancies (1.62%) included medical cannabis purchases during pregnancy. Mean daily THC purchased was 137.36mg — far above FDA-approved cannabinoid doses. Women who continued pre-pregnancy cannabis use bought 1.82x more daily THC than those who initiated during pregnancy. 65.3% were continuers, 34.7% initiated during pregnancy.

Descriptive analysis linking three Arkansas databases: Medical Cannabis Card Registry, Dispensary Database, and Birth Certificate Records, plus national Social Determinants of Health Database. Covered pregnancies from May 2019 to August 2022.

This is the first population-level analysis showing exactly how much THC pregnant women are purchasing. The amounts far exceed therapeutic ranges, raising concerns about fetal exposure and highlighting the need for better prenatal counseling about cannabis dosing.

The fact that pregnant women are purchasing THC at doses dramatically exceeding FDA-approved levels for non-pregnant adults is alarming. Current medical cannabis programs may not adequately address pregnancy-specific dosing or risks, and prenatal care providers may not be asking about medical cannabis use.

Purchases don't equal consumption — some product may be stored or shared. Arkansas may not represent other states. No birth outcome data in this analysis. Qualifying conditions for MC may confound comparisons. Can't confirm gestational timing of purchases precisely.