Doctors Issue New Guidance: Cannabis Use Discouraged Before, During, and After Pregnancy
Following a rise in cannabis use across the U.S., the American College of Obstetricians and gynecologists (ACOG) has released new guidance strongly discouraging cannabis use before, during, and after pregnancy. The recommendations aim too address increasing normalization and acceptance of cannabis, which may lead individuals to underestimate potential risks.
Data from a 2019 analysis of over 450,000 women aged 12 to 44,conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA),revealed that cannabis use more than doubled between 2002 and 2017.
“When things become more normalized in society, it’s a very natural tendency for us to think that we don’t have to think about the potential risks,” explained Dr. Amy Valent, an OB/GYN at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and a contributor to the new guidance, in an interview with CNN.
Research indicates that THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, can cross the placenta and enter breast milk. Cannabinoid receptors have been detected in fetuses as early as five weeks of gestation, raising concerns about potential fetal exposure.
ACOG’s guidance links cannabis use during pregnancy to adverse outcomes including low birth weight,admissions to neonatal intensive care,perinatal death,and potential long-term neurodevelopmental effects like attention deficits and learning difficulties. However, Dr. Valent noted that data on cannabis safety in pregnancy remains limited. While cannabis use isn’t demonstrably linked to birth defects, she questioned whether the absence of evidence should be the standard for pregnancy safety.
The guidance emphasizes a shift away from drug testing of pregnant individuals via hair, urine, or other samples, citing concerns about potential discrimination against minority patients.Instead, ACOG advocates for universal screening through open conversations and interviews.
Experts recommend a non-judgmental approach to initiating these conversations. Dr.Cara Poland, an addiction medicine physician at michigan State University (who was not involved in developing the guidance), suggested opening with a question like, “Would it be OK with you if I asked you some questions about cannabis and other drug use?”
ACOG also urges healthcare providers to be aware of local laws regarding substance use during pregnancy, as these can vary and may trigger involvement from child protection agencies – a contrast to conditions like gestational diabetes.
Many patients report using cannabis to manage symptoms like nausea, stress, or anxiety during pregnancy. ACOG highlights the importance of open communication about these symptoms, suggesting that addressing them directly may reduce reliance on cannabis. In some instances, cannabis may even exacerbate nausea, and alternatives like exercise, dietary changes, or approved medications may be more effective.
Dr. Valent emphasized the value of screening as a starting point for individualized patient care. “We really need to be able to talk more broadly with our patients about their symptoms and how we can best support them. I think there’s beauty to communication and conversation, and hopefully this guidance just helps support peopel to understand that we just want to provide a more complete conversation.”
More information on cannabis and pregnancy is available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/pregnancy.html.
Source: CNN,Sept. 18, 2025.
Note: the prompt requested the article be about “Doctors Warn Pregnant Patients to Avoid Cannabis, New Guidance Says Piedmont Orthopedics.” Though, Piedmont Orthopedics is not mentioned in the source article and appears to be an unrelated addition. I have omitted it to maintain 100% fidelity to the provided text and avoid fabrication.
