How Pregnant Cannabis Users Consume: Smoking Most Common, With Sociodemographic Differences
Among 3,507 pregnant cannabis users in California, smoking was the most common mode (71%), followed by edibles (33%) and vaping (22%), with significant racial and socioeconomic differences in consumption methods.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Smoking predominated (71.1%), but nearly 30% used multiple modes. Those who dabbed (54.3%) or used multiple modes (45.3%) were most likely to use daily. Smoking was more common among younger, Black, and disadvantaged populations, while edibles were more common among older and higher-SES groups.
Key Numbers
3,507 pregnancies. Smoking: 71.1%, edibles: 32.6%, vaping: 22.2%, dabs: 9.9%, topicals: 4.6%. Multiple modes: 29.9%. Daily use: dabbers 54.3%, multi-mode 45.3%, edible-only 28.2%.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 3,507 pregnancies (2021-2022) in Kaiser Permanente Northern California with self-reported prenatal cannabis modes of use during universal screening at prenatal care entry.
Why This Research Matters
Different consumption methods carry different risks during pregnancy — smoking adds combustion byproducts, edibles have prolonged THC exposure, and dabbing involves high-potency concentrates. Understanding who uses which method enables targeted harm reduction.
The Bigger Picture
Harm reduction for prenatal cannabis use requires understanding consumption methods, not just frequency. The sociodemographic differences suggest that interventions must be culturally tailored and address access inequities.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single healthcare system in California. Self-reported modes may be subject to social desirability. Cannot determine whether modes changed during pregnancy. No outcome data linked to specific modes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do different consumption modes carry different risks for fetal outcomes?
- ?Would targeted harm reduction messaging about switching modes be more effective than abstinence-only messaging?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Large sample with detailed mode-of-use data from universal screening, though single-system and cross-sectional design limit generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Recent study (2021-2022) capturing current consumption patterns in a legalized market.
- Original Title:
- Sociodemographic differences in modes of cannabis use among pregnant individuals in Northern California.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol dependence, 267, 112546 (2025)
- Authors:
- Young-Wolff, Kelly C(42), Cortez, Catherine A(2), Nugent, Joshua R(2), Padon, Alisa A, Prochaska, Judith J, Adams, Sara R, Slama, Natalie E, Soroosh, Aurash J, Does, Monique B, Campbell, Cynthia I, Ansley, Deborah, Castellanos, Carley, Brown, Qiana L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08013
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How do pregnant women typically use cannabis?
Smoking is by far the most common method (71%), followed by edibles (33%) and vaping (22%). About 30% use cannabis in more than one way.
Are some methods safer during pregnancy?
This study didn't measure outcomes by method, but health experts generally consider non-combustion methods (edibles, topicals) less harmful than smoking due to avoiding combustion byproducts — though THC exposure remains a concern regardless.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08013APA
Young-Wolff, Kelly C; Cortez, Catherine A; Nugent, Joshua R; Padon, Alisa A; Prochaska, Judith J; Adams, Sara R; Slama, Natalie E; Soroosh, Aurash J; Does, Monique B; Campbell, Cynthia I; Ansley, Deborah; Castellanos, Carley; Brown, Qiana L. (2025). Sociodemographic differences in modes of cannabis use among pregnant individuals in Northern California.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 267, 112546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112546
MLA
Young-Wolff, Kelly C, et al. "Sociodemographic differences in modes of cannabis use among pregnant individuals in Northern California.." Drug and alcohol dependence, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112546
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Sociodemographic differences in modes of cannabis use among ..." RTHC-08013. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/young-wolff-2025-sociodemographic-differences-in-modes
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.