Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2025

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
05:25

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

130

High Stakes: Exploring the Impact of Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Lactation

Erica M Wymore1, Katharine Wagner2, Christine Gold2

  • 1Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.

Neoreviews
|March 31, 2025
PubMed

Cannabis is the most commonly used federally illicit substance during pregnancy in the United States, with an estimated prevalence of 3% to 30%. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics discourage cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to safety concerns for the fetus and infant. Despite these recommendations, nearly half of active cannabis users continue use in pregnancy. In this review, we summarize cannabis pharmacology and metabolism with a focus on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, highlighting its significance in quantifying exposure and the impact on outcomes studies. We also provide a concise review of current evidence on the effects of perinatal cannabis use and pregnancy, infant, and childhood outcomes, acknowledging the limitations of this evidence. Additionally, we provide targeted counseling recommendations for harm reduction strategies and lactation considerations for birthing parents who use cannabis.

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