If a pregnant person is unable to stop using cannabis, using smaller amounts and less often may help reduce the risk of harmful outcomes to the baby.
Research shows that harmful outcomes for children exposed to cannabis during pregnancy are most often seen when cannabis is used frequently and throughout the entire pregnancy. Less is known about the potential harms of low to moderate use during pregnancy. Until more is known, it is safest for a person who is pregnant or may become pregnant to avoid using cannabis. For advice and support with quitting, call the HealthLine at 811.
Cannabis comes from the cannabis plant. Cannabis can be inhaled (smoked), swallowed (e.g., in food and drinks), placed under the tongue (e.g., strips and sprays), or applied on the skin (e.g., oils and creams).
Cannabis contains hundreds of chemicals. The most researched of these is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the chemical in cannabis that makes people feel “high”. The strength of the cannabis product depends on the level of THC in the product. The highest THC levels are found in hash oil, followed by hashish (resin), and marijuana (dried leaves/flowers). Cannabidiol (CBD) is another chemical in cannabis. Unlike THC, it does not make people feel “high”.
Short-term effects of using cannabis can include:
Long-term effects of using cannabis can include:
Cannabis is legal in Canada, but that does not necessarily mean it is safe to use. This is especially true before, during, or after pregnancy. It is important to understand the potential health risks and how cannabis can affect both the pregnant person and the baby.
THC is found in breast milk, sometimes at levels up to 8 times higher than in the mother’s blood. Infants exposed through breast milk may experience:
For these reasons, health professionals recommend avoiding cannabis while breastfeeding.
There are serious, potential risks for young children whose parents use cannabis. These risks include:
Children are at risk of poisoning if they eat items containing cannabis. Overdoses of cannabis in children are most common when children mistake foods containing cannabis for regular foods (e.g., gummy bears, brownies, lollipops). Smaller children are at higher risk of poisoning because of their size and weight. It is important that parents keep cannabis out of the sight and reach of children, if possible in a locked cabinet.
Parents can also put their children in danger if they are “high” while driving. It is also important that parents do not smoke cannabis around their children, since second-hand cannabis smoke may cause some of the same health problems for children as second-hand tobacco smoke.
Related Resource
For more information about the potential effects of cannabis use before, during, and after pregnancy, see the resource titled Cannabis Use in the Childbearing Years: An Evidence Summary for Healthcare Providers