Prenatal Cannabis Use Not Linked to ADHD or Behavior Disorders in Children
In 141,570 children followed to age 11, maternal prenatal cannabis use was not associated with increased risk of ADHD or disruptive behavior disorders after adjusting for confounders.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
After adjusting for maternal sociodemographics, other substance use, and comorbidities, prenatal cannabis use showed no association with ADHD (aHR: 0.84) and an inverse association with DBD (aHR: 0.83). Frequency of use was also not associated with outcomes.
Key Numbers
141,570 children, 117,130 pregnancies. 4.6% screened positive for cannabis. 7.7% offspring had ADHD, 6.8% had DBD. ADHD: aHR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.70-1.01). DBD: aHR = 0.83 (95% CI: 0.71-0.97).
How They Did This
Population-based retrospective birth cohort of 141,570 children born 2011-2018 in Kaiser Permanente Northern California, with universal prenatal cannabis screening and follow-up to age 11 for ADHD and DBD diagnoses.
Why This Research Matters
This is one of the largest and best-controlled studies on prenatal cannabis and child behavioral outcomes. The null finding challenges prior smaller studies that suggested links and provides reassurance on these specific outcomes.
The Bigger Picture
Prenatal cannabis research often faces confounding challenges. This large, well-controlled study suggests that after properly accounting for maternal characteristics, cannabis itself may not increase ADHD/DBD risk — though other outcomes may still be affected.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational study cannot prove absence of effect. Cannabis use is self-reported and may be underestimated. Cannot account for all confounders. Follow-up to age 11 may miss later-diagnosed cases.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why did prior smaller studies find associations that disappear in this larger, better-controlled study?
- ?Are there other neurodevelopmental outcomes that might still be affected?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Very large cohort with universal screening, long follow-up, and comprehensive confounder adjustment — among the strongest evidence available on this question.
- Study Age:
- Recent large-scale analysis providing the most comprehensive look at prenatal cannabis and child behavioral outcomes to date.
- Original Title:
- Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
- Published In:
- Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP, 46(1), e25-e32 (2025)
- Authors:
- Young-Wolff, Kelly C(42), Kong, Kevin, Alexeeff, Stacey E(19), Croen, Lisa A, Oberman, Nina, Kirane, Harshal, Ansley, Deborah, Davignon, Meghan, Adams, Sara R, Avalos, Lyndsay A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08014
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does prenatal cannabis use cause ADHD?
This large study of 141,570 children found no association after accounting for other maternal factors like other substance use, demographics, and health conditions.
Why is this different from earlier studies?
Earlier studies were often smaller and didn't fully account for confounders like polysubstance use and socioeconomic factors. When these are properly controlled, the cannabis-specific association disappears for ADHD and behavior disorders.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08014APA
Young-Wolff, Kelly C; Kong, Kevin; Alexeeff, Stacey E; Croen, Lisa A; Oberman, Nina; Kirane, Harshal; Ansley, Deborah; Davignon, Meghan; Adams, Sara R; Avalos, Lyndsay A. (2025). Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study.. Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP, 46(1), e25-e32. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000001323
MLA
Young-Wolff, Kelly C, et al. "Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study.." Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0000000000001323
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Attention Deficit Hypera..." RTHC-08014. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/young-wolff-2025-prenatal-cannabis-use-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.