Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Alone Didn't Predict Child Maltreatment After Policy Changed
After a 2018 policy change stopped automatically substantiating prenatal THC exposure as physical abuse, newborns who tested positive for THC only were no more likely to be maltreated.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 35,437 births, Black and multiracial newborns were significantly more likely to be drug-tested. After the policy change, newborns testing positive for THC only were no more likely to experience subsequent maltreatment compared to those testing negative or not tested.
Key Numbers
35,437 births. Black and multiracial newborns significantly more likely to be tested. Post-policy: THC-only positive had no higher maltreatment rate.
How They Did This
Retrospective cohort linking University of Michigan birth data (n=35,437) with Michigan maltreatment data. Compared outcomes before and after 2018 policy change. Regression models adjusted for demographics.
Why This Research Matters
Policies equating prenatal cannabis exposure with child abuse can separate families, disproportionately affecting Black and multiracial families. This study provides evidence that prenatal THC alone does not predict maltreatment.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis legalization spreads, many child welfare systems still treat any prenatal exposure as grounds for investigation. This study strengthens the case for policy reform and reveals racial bias in testing practices.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single-center. Michigan-specific policy. Cannot assess heavy/chronic use separately. Meconium captures third-trimester exposure only.
Questions This Raises
- ?Should CPS investigations for prenatal cannabis end nationwide?
- ?What role does racial bias play in newborn testing?
- ?How should prenatal cannabis use be addressed post-legalization?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- THC-only exposure did not predict maltreatment after policy reform
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: large cohort with natural policy experiment, but single-center.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025, with data spanning 2013-2023.
- Original Title:
- Prenatal cannabis exposure and the risk of subsequent maltreatment.
- Published In:
- Child abuse & neglect, 160, 107175 (2025)
- Authors:
- Ryan, Joseph P, Oshman, Lauren(4), Frank, Christopher J(4), Perron, Brian, Victor, Bryan, Sankaran, Vivek
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07538
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does prenatal cannabis use lead to child maltreatment?
After removing the automatic link between prenatal THC and abuse substantiation, newborns testing positive for THC only were no more likely to be maltreated.
Are drug tests at birth applied equally across races?
No. This study found Black and multiracial newborns were significantly more likely to be drug-tested at birth.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07538APA
Ryan, Joseph P; Oshman, Lauren; Frank, Christopher J; Perron, Brian; Victor, Bryan; Sankaran, Vivek. (2025). Prenatal cannabis exposure and the risk of subsequent maltreatment.. Child abuse & neglect, 160, 107175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107175
MLA
Ryan, Joseph P, et al. "Prenatal cannabis exposure and the risk of subsequent maltreatment.." Child abuse & neglect, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107175
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Prenatal cannabis exposure and the risk of subsequent maltre..." RTHC-07538. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ryan-2025-prenatal-cannabis-exposure-and
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.