A recent study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research indicates that a substantial number of women of childbearing age consider marijuana to be relatively safe for use during pregnancy. Researchers from the University of Connecticut conducted an anonymous online survey involving a national cohort of 622 U.S. women between the ages of 18 and 42. The survey explored the participants’ use of marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol while pregnant, along with their perceptions regarding the drug’s safety and potential risks to infant and fetal development.
Key findings from the study include:
- Of the participants who had previously been pregnant, 25.9% reported consuming marijuana during their pregnancy.
- This prenatal usage rate slightly outpaced tobacco use, which was reported at 23.6%, and was substantially higher than prenatal alcohol use, which sat at 8.2%.
- The median frequency for prenatal marijuana consumption was twice a week, with joints and blunts reported as the most common methods of consumption.
- Women who consumed marijuana while pregnant primarily cited using it to manage symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and pain.
Overall, the participants perceived marijuana to be a relatively safer option than alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy. According to the researchers, this perception may stem from the drug’s use in relieving common pregnancy-related symptoms, as well as broader cultural and social shifts regarding cannabis. In their conclusion, the researchers stressed the importance of targeted education and accurate messaging regarding prenatal marijuana use, noting that public health efforts must also consider the complex emotional, cultural, and social factors that influence substance use.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
