A review argues that expecting individuals should take a complete pause from all cannabinoid products during pregnancy based on growing evidence of fetal risks.
OB/GYN providers, pregnant individuals, midwives, and prenatal health educators.
Pregnancy pause urgedReview calls for complete cannabinoid cessation during pregnancy based on fetal development risks
What the researchers found
The review synthesizes evidence showing prenatal cannabinoid exposure risks to fetal development, arguing that the growing availability and normalization of cannabis products requires clearer medical messaging about pregnancy-related risks.
Why it matters
Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing alongside legalization, and many pregnant individuals receive inadequate guidance from medical providers about the risks of cannabinoid exposure to the developing fetus.
The numbers in context
Cannabinoid use across all populations is increasing with US legalization, with a noted lack of caution from medical providers to pregnant individuals.
How the study worked
Narrative review synthesizing evidence on prenatal cannabinoid exposure risks and clinical messaging gaps.
Who was studied
Pregnant individuals using or considering cannabinoid products.
What this study cannot tell us
Narrative review may introduce selection bias; evidence quality varies; some risks may be overstated or understated depending on confounding factors in underlying studies.
How to read the evidence
Narrative review synthesizing evidence; provides clinical guidance framework rather than new data.
When this study was published
Recent review addressing an increasingly urgent prenatal health concern.
The bigger picture
This review highlights a public health communication challenge: as cannabis becomes more accepted and available, the messaging about pregnancy-specific risks needs to become more explicit and evidence-based.
Replication
Consistent with major medical organization guidelines recommending against cannabis use during pregnancy.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- How should providers communicate cannabinoid risks without stigmatizing patients?
- Are CBD products safer than THC during pregnancy?
- What messaging strategies are most effective for behavior change?
Read the original research
Prenatal cannabinoid exposure: why expecting individuals should take a pregnancy pause from using cannabinoid products.
Frontiers in pediatrics, 11, 1278227
Citation
Lin, Alexis; Dent, Gelonia L; Davies, Suzy; Dominguez, Zarena M; Cioffredi, Leigh-Anne; McLemore, Gabrielle L; Maxwell, Jessie R. (2023). Prenatal cannabinoid exposure: why expecting individuals should take a pregnancy pause from using cannabinoid products.. Frontiers in pediatrics, 11, 1278227. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1278227