ACOG Committee Opinion: Women Should Stop Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that pregnant women discontinue marijuana use due to concerns about impaired neurodevelopment and fetal exposure.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
ACOG issued a formal committee opinion stating that women who are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy should be encouraged to discontinue marijuana use. Self-reported marijuana use during pregnancy ranges from 2-5% in most studies, and this could increase with expanding legalization.
Key recommendations included: obstetricians should not prescribe or suggest marijuana for medicinal purposes during preconception, pregnancy, or lactation. Women using medical marijuana should be encouraged to switch to alternative therapies with better pregnancy-specific safety data.
The opinion cited concerns about impaired neurodevelopment and the adverse effects of smoking as the primary reasons for the recommendation. Insufficient data existed to evaluate marijuana effects on infants during lactation, so use during breastfeeding was also discouraged.
Key Numbers
Self-reported marijuana use during pregnancy: 2-5% in most studies. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug during pregnancy.
How They Did This
This is an ACOG Committee Opinion, which represents expert consensus based on available evidence. Committee opinions are produced by panels of specialists who review the relevant literature and provide clinical guidance.
Why This Research Matters
This is the official position of the leading U.S. professional organization for obstetricians on marijuana use during pregnancy. It provides clear guidance for clinicians counseling pregnant patients, particularly as legalization makes marijuana more accessible.
The Bigger Picture
As marijuana legalization expands, more pregnant women may consider using it for nausea, pain, or anxiety. This committee opinion provides a clear clinical stance that guides prenatal counseling and sets expectations for medical practice.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Committee opinions represent expert consensus rather than systematic evidence review. The evidence on marijuana and pregnancy outcomes is incomplete, with most studies limited by confounding factors (polysubstance use, socioeconomic differences). The opinion does not provide detailed analysis of the quality of underlying evidence.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would topical or oral CBD products carry the same risks as smoked marijuana during pregnancy?
- ?How should clinicians counsel women in states where marijuana is legal?
- ?What alternative therapies are recommended for pregnant women who were using medical marijuana?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- ACOG: discontinue marijuana use during pregnancy, preconception, and lactation
- Evidence Grade:
- This is an expert committee opinion from a major medical professional organization, representing strong institutional guidance based on available evidence.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2015. ACOG has maintained and updated its position against marijuana use during pregnancy.
- Original Title:
- Committee Opinion No. 637: Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Lactation.
- Published In:
- Obstetrics and gynecology, 126(1), 234-8 (2015)
- Authors:
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00899
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is marijuana safe during pregnancy?
ACOG says no. While the evidence is not definitive, concerns about impaired fetal neurodevelopment and the effects of smoking are sufficient to recommend against use. The precautionary principle applies: in the absence of proven safety, avoidance is advised.
What about CBD products during pregnancy?
This opinion addressed marijuana broadly and did not specifically evaluate isolated CBD products. However, the general recommendation to avoid cannabis-derived products during pregnancy would apply. Women should discuss alternatives with their healthcare providers.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00899APA
. (2015). Committee Opinion No. 637: Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Lactation.. Obstetrics and gynecology, 126(1), 234-8. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000467192.89321.a6
MLA
. "Committee Opinion No. 637: Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Lactation.." Obstetrics and gynecology, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000467192.89321.a6
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Committee Opinion No. 637: Marijuana Use During Pregnancy an..." RTHC-00899. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/unknown-2015-committee-opinion-no-637
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.