Cannabis and pregnancy aren’t two things most people would usually connect – yet some women say they used it during pregnancy anyway. Here’s the reason why.
Pregnancy can be an exciting time, and no matter who you are, most mothers-to-be would do anything to protect their baby. Modern medicine has come a long way, and today we know there are certain things women should – and shouldn’t – do while pregnant.
While guidelines can vary slightly depending on where you live, some recommendations are widely known – such as avoiding alcohol and drugs during pregnancy.
In some cases, however, reality can be more complex – something Tatiana Sanchez says she experienced during her pregnancy.
Cannabis during pregnancy
She told the New York Post that she developed hyperemesis gravidarum while pregnant with her son in 2020. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition is a severe form of morning sickness that can lead to significant fluid loss and weight loss of more than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight. In some cases, hospitalization may be required.
Sanchez said she did not want to take Zofran – a medication commonly prescribed for hyperemesis gravidarum – because, in her view, “the potential risks during the first trimester outweighed the benefits.” She also said she was unable to access the medication Diclegis due to shortages.
Instead, she took a more controversial approach – using cannabis.
“I chose to use cannabis then out of desperation, because I believed it posed fewer risks than the pharmaceuticals offered to me,” she told the New York Post. “Despite multiple emergency room visits and consultations, the support I received was limited.”
Women who use cannabis while pregnant
Riley Kirk, 31, CEO of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy and a cannabis research scientist, educator and author, also said she used marijuana during pregnancy to manage migraines.
“During my pregnancy, I chose to consume very small doses of cannabis on only a few occasions to manage persistent migraines,” she said.
“Even Zofran, which dissolves in the mouth, triggered vomiting,” she continued.
“Inhaling cannabis vapor was the only method my body could tolerate, and it provided near-instant relief,” while emphasizing that she does not support recreational use during pregnancy.
Sanchez explained that her focus was “entirely on intentional, minimal and safe consumption to support my health and my son’s.
“After careful trial and error, I found that using a high-quality dry herb vaporizer with clean flower, combined with a balanced 1:1 THC-to-CBD tincture, was the most effective way to manage my symptoms and maintain stability.”
Serious health risks
That said, both research and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that cannabis use during pregnancy may pose risks. The agency states: “The chemicals in cannabis (in particular, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) pass through your system to your baby and may harm your baby’s development.
“Although more research is needed to better understand how cannabis may affect you and your baby during pregnancy, it is recommended that pregnant women do not use cannabis.”
Research has also linked cannabis use during pregnancy to outcomes such as low birth weight and potential impacts on neurological development.
This is not medical advice. If you have questions about your pregnancy, consult your doctor.
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