Focus groups with pregnant individuals revealed specific preferences and perceptions about different modes of cannabis use during early pregnancy.
OB/GYN providers, prenatal health educators, harm reduction specialists, and pregnant individuals using cannabis.
Mode preferencesPregnant individuals showed distinct preferences among cannabis delivery methods based on perceived safety
What the researchers found
Pregnant individuals expressed distinct preferences among cannabis delivery methods (smoking, vaping, edibles, topicals) during early pregnancy, influenced by perceived safety, convenience, and symptom management needs.
Why it matters
Different cannabis delivery methods produce different exposure profiles for the developing fetus. Understanding maternal preferences helps develop targeted harm reduction messaging for those who continue to use during pregnancy.
The numbers in context
Focus group study conducted with Kaiser Permanente Northern California pregnant individuals examining cannabis use patterns and mode preferences.
How the study worked
Qualitative focus group study with pregnant individuals examining preferences and perceptions regarding modes of prenatal cannabis use.
Who was studied
Pregnant individuals at Kaiser Permanente Northern California who have used cannabis during pregnancy.
What this study cannot tell us
Qualitative design with specific HMO population; participants willing to discuss cannabis use may not represent all pregnant users; focus groups may introduce social desirability bias.
How to read the evidence
Qualitative focus group data; provides rich insight into decision-making but cannot generalize to all populations.
When this study was published
Recent qualitative study addressing a gap in prenatal cannabis research.
The bigger picture
As prenatal cannabis use rises, understanding why pregnant individuals choose specific delivery methods enables more nuanced clinical counseling rather than blanket prohibitions that may not resonate.
Replication
Among the first studies on cannabis delivery mode preferences during pregnancy; single HMO population.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- Which delivery methods are perceived as safest during pregnancy?
- Do edibles produce different fetal exposure than smoking?
- Can mode-specific harm reduction reduce fetal risk?
Read the original research
Exploring preferences for different modes of cannabis use during early pregnancy: A qualitative study.
Addictive behaviors, 146, 107812
Citation
Mian, Maha N; Foti, Tara R; Green, Andrea; Iturralde, Esti; Altschuler, Andrea; Does, Monique B; Jackson-Morris, Melanie; Adams, Sara R; Satre, Derek D; Ansley, Deborah; Young-Wolff, Kelly C. (2023). Exploring preferences for different modes of cannabis use during early pregnancy: A qualitative study.. Addictive behaviors, 146, 107812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107812