Cannabis and Pregnancy

Based on data from 2023-24, roughly 23% of New Yorkers aged 21 or older reported cannabis use in the past 12 months. Although men generally have a higher prevalence of use than women, recent studies show a narrowing gap as female consumption rises. Despite this trend, research is sorely lacking on the impact of cannabis use on pregnancy, birth outcomes and overall health. Many advisory panels and organizations advise against the use of cannabis during pregnancy, but there are numerous reasons pregnant people choose to use.

On today’s episode, we’ll talk through the evidence and provide best practices for caring for pregnant persons who use cannabis. Related Content:

• New York State Department of Health Clinical Guidelines Program Therapeutic Use of Medical Cannabis in New York State (October 2025): https://www.suguidelinesnys.org/guideline/med-cannabis/?mytab=tab_6/#pregnancy
• New York State Department of Health Office of Cannabis Management Cannabis Considerations for Pregnant and Breastfeeding/Chest Feeding Individuals (2022): https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/07/cannabis-considerations-for-pregnant-and-breastfeeding-chestfeeding-individuals-fact-sheet_v2.pdf
• New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Brief (November 2024-05): https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/2024-05_brfss_cannabis_use.pdf
• New York State Office of Cannabis Management Cannabis Education Library: https://cannabis.ny.gov/education
• Zolotov Y, Mendoza Temple L, Isralowitz R, et al. Developing Medical Cannabis Competencies: A Consensus Statement. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(10):e2535049. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.35049
• Raz M, Gupta-Kagan J, & Asnes A. THC Ingestions and Child Protective Services: Guidelines for Practitioners. J Addict Med. 2025 July-Aug;19(4):350-52. doi:10/1097/ADM.0000000000001441
• Data to Action: Cannabis consumption during the perinatal period and clinicians’ screening and advising, New York State outside of New York City, 2017-2018 and 2021-2022: https://apps.health.ny.gov/public/tabvis/PHIG_Public/prams/publications/Cannabis_consumption_during_the_perinatal_period.pdf
• Project CBD: http://projectcbd.com/
• American College of Gynecologists and Obstetrics Clinical Consensus on Cannabis Use during Pregnancy and Lactation (October 2025): https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-consensus/articles/2025/10/cannabis-use-during-pregnancy-and-lactation
• CEI Training, Clinical Approaches to Medical Cannabis: https://ceitraining.org/courses/1589
• CEI Clinical Consultation Line 1-866-637-2342 A toll-free service for NYS clinicians offering real-time clinical consultations with specialists on HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C, and drug user health.
• https://ceitraining.org/