Given that marijuana use is becoming more widespread across the United States, with cannabis use legalized in almost half of all states in the union, this becomes an issue that many women face while carrying their children. If you have taken cannabis for relief from morning sickness, depression, pain, or any other reason, either before finding out that you are pregnant or throughout your pregnancy period, it is among the most crucial issues that you should address as part of the process of taking care of yourself and your child. Here is what you should know according to science.
What Do Doctors and Health Organizations Say?
This is not a situation wherein there is some disagreement among the medical professionals. The guidance issued by ACOG, AAP, CDC, FDA, and SAMHSA is identical when it comes to marijuana consumption in its various forms – smoked, vaporized, and edible – throughout pregnancy or lactation periods.
In October 2025, ACOG came up with an extensive guidance document titled Clinical Consensus No. 10: Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Lactation, which made the first recommendation of conducting universal cannabis use screening across all pregnancy stages. The new guidance reiterated that prenatal cannabis exposure carries grave implications and that there is no evidence to show that a certain threshold of cannabis consumption is safe.
The FDA has also come out in clear terms, warning about the risks involved in using cannabis, in any form – including CBD products – during pregnancy.
Why Is Weed Harmful During Pregnancy? The Science Explained
The key problem here is THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. This is what science has found:
THC crosses the placenta
THC is rapidly transferred from the placenta to the blood of the fetus. The existence of cannabinoid receptors in the fetus starts at 5 weeks after conception. The fetus cannot properly metabolize THC, which means that the effect of this substance is prolonged for the fetus compared to the mother.
It affects the developing brain
The functioning of the endocannabinoid system is necessary for the proper development of the brain during the period of pregnancy. In case this system is disrupted due to marijuana use, the development of neural circuits associated with cognition, behavior, and memory is negatively influenced.
The research numbers are concerning
There is one study conducted in 2025, which includes statistics from almost eight million pregnant women, revealing that the consumption of marijuana during pregnancy increases the likelihood that children will be born with low birth weight, will be premature, will have small heads, will be admitted to NICU, or will die during childbirth.
Long-term developmental effects
It has been proven through several longitudinal studies that the children who experienced the negative influence of marijuana during the period of pregnancy tend to face such problems as cognitive difficulties, academic failures, behavioral disorders, anxiety, and aggression.
Does It Matter How You Consume It?
Many people believe that edibles and vaping are healthier alternatives to smoking when pregnant. Unfortunately, this is a very common and extremely harmful myth.
Smoking involves additional damage from combustion by-products, carbon monoxide, and oxygen deprivation to the developing fetus, which are also present with regular cigarette smoking.
Vaping does not involve combustion, yet the THC is delivered directly to the placenta and the developing fetus, making it no safer than smoking.
Edibles do not deliver the THC via the lungs; however, the THC enters the bloodstream and passes to the developing fetus the same way. Also, edibles’ delayed onset can result in an accidental overdose due to increased consumption
CBD products are not an alternative that is safe for use, either. The FDA had already warned about using CBD during pregnancy. Most CBD products available in the market have THC in various quantities. It is difficult to find quality data on the safety of CBD intake in pregnant women regarding CBD intake.
The consumption method also doesn’t make any difference because THC gets into the fetus regardless of its mode of administration.
What About Using Weed for Morning Sickness?
This is possibly one of the most sympathetic reasons that pregnant people use marijuana. It has been found that about 50 percent to 90 percent of all pregnant people suffer from nausea and vomiting. It becomes very debilitating sometimes, and thus, it is natural for people to look for treatment where they can.
However, there is no scientific evidence to support this reasoning. When research was conducted involving over 9,000 pregnant people in their first trimester, those testing positive for THC actually had a high probability of experiencing nausea compared to the others.
It should be remembered that there are approved drugs by the FDA available for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. If you have morning sickness issues, please contact your obstetrician/gynecologist or midwife.
What About Breastfeeding?
But the risks don’t end there; they extend beyond birth. Marijuana products could pass on to the child through breast milk, remaining in the breast milk for up to six days. Considering that THC is a fat-soluble compound and accumulates in fatty tissues, it may take a while for a person who uses it regularly to eliminate it from their breast milk.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is not safe to consume marijuana products while breastfeeding. There is no recommended dose of THC for babies.
What If You Used Weed Before You Knew You Were Pregnant?
It is a rather prevalent problem, and it requires some honesty on your part. Women sometimes smoke marijuana even before getting pregnant, or at least before they know that they are pregnant.
In such a situation, it is crucial to stop using cannabis upon finding out that you are pregnant and to be truthful about your marijuana consumption with your doctor. The physician cannot judge you; their responsibility lies in providing you with optimal prenatal care.
The consumption of marijuana in early pregnancy shouldn’t make you worry too much, but it definitely requires stopping and seeking prenatal care.
The Bottom Line
It is widely recognized in the medical community in 2025 that there is no safe amount of marijuana use by pregnant and lactating women. Regardless of whether the cannabis is smoked, vaporized, taken orally, or included in a CBD product, the risk involved includes such outcomes as premature births, low-weight babies, neonatal ICU admission, brain damage, and behavioral problems in the child.
In case of nausea, pains, anxieties, or anything else that prompts you to use marijuana, please talk to your physician about alternatives.
FAQ
Is it safe to smoke weed in the first trimester of pregnancy?
Absolutely not. There is no trimester in which using cannabis is safe for the woman and her child. Cannabinoid receptors can be found in a developing fetus as early as week 5, and THC passes through the placenta in the entire course of pregnancy. According to ACOG, the CDC, and the FDA, women should completely abstain from using marijuana during pregnancy.
Can smoking weed cause a miscarriage or stillbirth?
Using cannabis during pregnancy increases the chances of some negative consequences, such as premature delivery, lower birth weight, and infant death. A recent meta-analysis published in 2026 proved a statistically significant relationship between cannabis use and perinatal mortality. Although a connection between the two may prove to be causational, there are strong indications that all organizations recommend complete cessation of marijuana use.
Is CBD safe to use during pregnancy?
No. The FDA has issued warnings about the potential dangers of taking CBD in any form while pregnant or breastfeeding. Most CBD products include an unspecified amount of THC, and there is not enough information available to prove that CBD is safe to take while pregnant.
Can weed affect my baby after birth if I smoked while pregnant?
Yes, potentially. Evidence has shown that children born to mothers who have used cannabis throughout their pregnancies are more likely to experience developmental problems, behavioral problems, anxiety, and lower academic performance. However, the effects are unlikely to be observed at birth; rather, they will surface as the child ages.
If weed is legal in my state, does that mean it’s safe during pregnancy?
No. The legal status of cannabis does not impact whether cannabis is medically safe for pregnant women. State laws regulating cannabis use do not make it safe to consume during pregnancy or breastfeeding. All major American medical organizations advise against using cannabis during pregnancy, independent of the state’s regulations on cannabis use.
