Pregnant Women Used More Cannabis During COVID, Especially for Physical and Mental Symptoms

During vs. before the pandemic, pregnant cannabis users were more likely to use for vomiting, depression, chronic illness, pain, sleep, and appetite (all RR>2.0, p<=0.020). They were more likely to use edibles (RR 1.72, p=0.023), less likely to smoke with tobacco (RR 0.69, p=0.009), and more likely to report physician-recommended use (RR 2.2, p=0.075). They were also more likely to have attempted to quit or reduce use (RR 1.14, p=0.047).

Prospective cohort study recruiting first-trimester participants from 2018-2022 (N=136 who ever used cannabis during pregnancy). Surveys in first and second trimesters assessed cannabis use patterns, reasons, and perceptions. Pre-pandemic vs. during-pandemic groups compared.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted prenatal care and increased stress, and this study shows those disruptions shifted both why and how pregnant women used cannabis, with implications for future public health emergencies.

The shift toward symptom-based and physician-adjacent cannabis use during the pandemic suggests that when conventional care becomes less accessible, cannabis fills the gap. With projected increases in pandemic frequency, these patterns may recur.

Small sample (136). Self-reported cannabis use. Cannot determine if pandemic-era users had more symptoms or just different coping strategies. Selection bias from research participation. Pre/during pandemic groups may differ on unmeasured factors.