Medical Cannabis Patients Report Using Cannabis During Pregnancy Despite Stigma
Interviews with 24 pregnant and parenting medical cannabis patients found they used cannabis for symptoms and mental health while navigating significant stigma.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Patients used cannabis for pregnancy nausea and qualifying conditions. While parenting: stress relief, mental health management, stigma navigation. Some chose to stop during pregnancy.
Key Numbers
24 interviews. Certified PA patients. Themes: symptom management, cessation decisions, stigma.
How They Did This
Thematic content analysis of 24 semi-structured interviews from the Drexel University PA Registry Study.
Why This Research Matters
Medical cannabis patients' qualifying conditions persist during pregnancy. This captures the tension between treatment need and safety concerns.
The Bigger Picture
The gap between certification and pregnancy guidance leaves patients in limbo. Evidence-based frameworks are needed.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small qualitative sample. Single state. No outcome data.
Questions This Raises
- ?Should certifications include pregnancy guidance?
- ?Do qualifying conditions pose more risk than cannabis during pregnancy?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Qualitative study with unique perspectives but cannot assess safety.
- Study Age:
- 2025 qualitative study.
- Original Title:
- 'It Helped to Calm Me': Perspectives on Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Parenting from Certified Patients in Pennsylvania.
- Published In:
- Substance use & misuse, 60(13), 1976-1982 (2025)
- Authors:
- Valdez, Elizabeth S, Cordingley, Olivia(2), Pagán, Samantha(2), Finkelstein, Maddy, Ataiants, Janna, Lankenau, Stephen
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07847
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do medical cannabis patients use during pregnancy?
Some do, for nausea and qualifying conditions. Others stop. Patients want more provider guidance.
What challenges do parents face?
Stigma, fear of consequences, and difficulty finding willing providers.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07847APA
Valdez, Elizabeth S; Cordingley, Olivia; Pagán, Samantha; Finkelstein, Maddy; Ataiants, Janna; Lankenau, Stephen. (2025). 'It Helped to Calm Me': Perspectives on Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Parenting from Certified Patients in Pennsylvania.. Substance use & misuse, 60(13), 1976-1982. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2528058
MLA
Valdez, Elizabeth S, et al. "'It Helped to Calm Me': Perspectives on Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Parenting from Certified Patients in Pennsylvania.." Substance use & misuse, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2528058
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "'It Helped to Calm Me': Perspectives on Cannabis Use During ..." RTHC-07847. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/valdez-2025-it-helped-to-calm
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.