What Effect Does Cannabis Use Have During Pregnancy?

August 18, 2026 | thcscout | Facts | No Comments on What Effect Does Cannabis Use Have During Pregnancy?

With the recent decriminalization and subsequent rise of Marijuana use around North America – researchers are finally beginning to discover some of the lesser known effects that Marijuana might have on human bodies. Many users of Marijuana are young people, and it has been estimated that approximately 50% of females who are Marijuana users continue their use during pregnancy (MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health, 2017).

This brings us to our question for today: What Effect Does Cannabis Use Have During Pregnancy?

Join us as we investigate this topic together!

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This video is provided for general and educational information only. Please consult your health care provider for Information about your health.

This video was made by McMaster students Michelle Gavac, Navneet Narayanan, Kristyn Guglielmin, Kavian Taghizadeh, and Osama Hashmi in collaboration with the McMaster Demystifying Medicine Program

References:

Alvarez, Ana V. Gutierrez, et al. (2018). Neurodevelopmental outcomes and prenatal exposure to marijuana. Pediatrics, 142(1), pp.787. doi: 10.1542/peds.142.1_MeetingAbstract.787

Goldschmidt, L., Richardson, G., Willford, J., Severtson, S. and Day, N. (2012). School achievement in 14-year-old youths prenatally exposed to marijuana. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 34(1), pp.161-167.

Goldschmidt, L., Richardson, G. A., Willford, J., & Day, N. L. (2008). Prenatal Marijuana Exposure and Intelligence Test Performance at Age 6. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(3), 254–263. doi: 10.1097/chi.0b013e318160b3f0

Keimpema, E., Mackie, K., & Harkany, T. (2011). Molecular model of cannabis sensitivity in developing neuronal circuits. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 32(9), 551–561. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2011.05.004

Marroun, H. E., Tiemeier, H., Steegers, E. A., Jaddoe, V. W., Hofman, A., Verhulst, F. C., … Huizink, A. C. (2009). Intrauterine Cannabis Exposure Affects Fetal Growth Trajectories: The Generation R Study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(12), 1173–1181. doi: 10.1097/chi.0b013e3181bfa8ee

MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health. (2017, March 29). The Effects of Marijuana on Embryo Development. Retrieved from https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/effects-marijuana-embryo-development/?fbclid=IwAR2hSLchFxsvyR23mgwLln8Bmsjn3tDUhqVNkel3pN60BBs4oixcaRHEcAY