13% of Colorado Birthing Individuals Used Cannabis Perinatally, with Depression Doubling the Odds
Among 117,812 Colorado birthing individuals, 13.3% reported perinatal cannabis use, with depression during pregnancy doubling the odds. Most used cannabis for medical reasons during pregnancy but shifted to recreational use postpartum.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
13.3% (15,585) reported perinatal cannabis use. 35.5% used during pregnancy, 87.3% used postpartum. Depression during pregnancy increased odds of use 2.2-fold (95% CI: 1.5-3.3). During pregnancy, 92% cited medical reasons; by 12-14 months postpartum, only 43% cited medical reasons. Use varied significantly by demographics and social factors.
Key Numbers
117,812 birthing individuals. 15,585 (13.3%) perinatal cannabis use. 35.5% during pregnancy, 87.3% postpartum. Depression: aOR 2.2 (CI 1.5-3.3). Medical reasons: 92% during pregnancy, 43% at 12-14 months postpartum.
How They Did This
Analysis of Health eMoms, Colorado's statewide perinatal longitudinal electronic surveillance system. Weighted sample of 117,812 birthing individuals (2018-2021). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression.
Why This Research Matters
In a state with legalized recreational cannabis, more than 1 in 10 pregnant individuals use cannabis perinatally. The strong link to depression suggests self-medication, and the shift from medical to recreational reasons postpartum suggests evolving motivations.
The Bigger Picture
Colorado's legalized cannabis environment provides a window into what other states may see as legalization expands. The high prevalence of perinatal use, combined with inconsistent healthcare guidance, highlights an urgent need for evidence-based prenatal counseling.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-reported use likely underestimates true prevalence. State-level data from Colorado may not generalize to states without legal recreational cannabis. Cannot determine causal direction between depression and cannabis use. Survey response bias possible.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are depressed pregnant women using cannabis as self-medication for inadequately treated depression?
- ?What evidence-based guidance should healthcare providers give about perinatal cannabis use?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Large statewide surveillance system with adjusted analyses, but self-reported data and state-specific context (legal recreational cannabis) limit generalizability.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication with 2018-2021 data.
- Original Title:
- Predictors of perinatal cannabis use in colorado and the association with depression during pregnancy.
- Published In:
- Archives of women's mental health, 28(3), 603-611 (2025)
- Authors:
- Teano, Valerie J, Weikel, Blair W, Hwang, Sunah S, Wymore, Erica M, Blackwell, Sarah, Bourque, Stephanie L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07783
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How common is cannabis use during pregnancy?
In Colorado, where recreational cannabis is legal, 13.3% of birthing individuals reported perinatal cannabis use (2018-2021). About one-third used during pregnancy, with 92% citing medical reasons such as nausea, pain, or anxiety.
Is depression linked to cannabis use during pregnancy?
Yes. This study found depression during pregnancy more than doubled the odds of perinatal cannabis use (2.2x). This suggests some individuals may be self-medicating with cannabis for inadequately treated depression during pregnancy.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07783APA
Teano, Valerie J; Weikel, Blair W; Hwang, Sunah S; Wymore, Erica M; Blackwell, Sarah; Bourque, Stephanie L. (2025). Predictors of perinatal cannabis use in colorado and the association with depression during pregnancy.. Archives of women's mental health, 28(3), 603-611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-024-01515-4
MLA
Teano, Valerie J, et al. "Predictors of perinatal cannabis use in colorado and the association with depression during pregnancy.." Archives of women's mental health, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-024-01515-4
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Predictors of perinatal cannabis use in colorado and the ass..." RTHC-07783. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/teano-2025-predictors-of-perinatal-cannabis
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.