Marijuana – Is it safe to use during pregnancy?

There is no known safe amount of marijuana use during pregnancy (smoking, vaping, eating, etc…). Women who smoke/vape during and after pregnancy put their babies at risk of long-lasting, irreversible health problems, including pre-term delivery, low birth weight, developmental delay, respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma, decreased ability to breastfeed, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The Oregon Health Authority’s scientific advisory committee is looking at current data in order to make evidence-based health recommendations to minimize negative health effects of marijuana use.

• When you’re pregnant…If you use marijuana in any form during pregnancy, it may harm your baby. This includes smoking, eating, vaping, creams or lotions.
• Some research shows that using marijuana while you are pregnant can cause health problems in newborns— including low birth weight.
• Breathing marijuana smoke can also be bad for you and your baby. Marijuana smoke has many of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke and may increase the chances for developmental problems in your baby.
• Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to your baby’s health. The chemicals in marijuana (in particular, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) pass through your system to your baby and can harm your baby’s development.
• Although more research is needed to better understand how marijuana may affect you and your baby during pregnancy, it is recommended that pregnant women do not use marijuana.

Bottom line … There is no known safe amount of marijuana use during pregnancy (smoking, vaping, eating, etc…).

If you’re pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding and need help to stop using marijuana, talk to your doctor.

If you think you might be pregnant and need a free pregnancy test, contact us for an appointment. Our consultants and nurses can talk to you about marijuana usage and help answer any questions you might have.