HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS: HOW CANNABIS
IMPACTS YOUR BODY
There is no safe amount.
Simply put, there is no known safe amount of cannabis while pregnant. That includes more well-known cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as other cannabinoids like CBN or CBG. No matter if it’s smoked, vaped, or eaten, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) gets passed on to your baby and may have a long-term impact on your child’s ability to learn. Be sure to talk to your doctor early in your pregnancy about cannabis use.
Cannabis can slow your baby’s growth.
Research shows that using cannabis containing THC while pregnant is linked to babies being born smaller than they should be for their stage of development. This can lead to low birth weight and increase the risk of health complications for your baby. Talk to your doctor about cannabis use and what it could mean for your baby’s health.
Pumping and dumping isn’t a solution.
Some people think “pumping and dumping” — expressing breast milk and throwing it away — will clear THC from their system. But that’s not how it works. THC is stored in fat cells and can stay in your breast milk for days or even weeks after you consume it. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
Medical use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Using medical cannabis as a new mother is a choice best made between you and your doctor. It isn’t a good idea to use any medicines while pregnant or breastfeeding unless they are recommended by your doctor, so talk with a healthcare provider about whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks.
Secondhand cannabis smoke isn’t safe for you or your baby.
Secondhand smoke from cannabis has many of the same cancer-causing chemicals as tobacco smoke. Make the safest, healthiest, and most responsible choice and keep your home smoke-free.
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CANNABIS USE WHILE PREGNANT.
WE HAVE ANSWERS.
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell what information about cannabis and pregnancy is most trustworthy. You can’t believe everything you read or hear, so use this page as a resource first. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment constantly reviews all available cannabis research, which you can read a summary of on the CDPHE website. If you still have questions, it’s always best to talk with your doctor before making a decision.
Is cannabis/marijuana safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, there is no known safe amount of cannabis to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. No matter how it’s used, THC always gets passed to your baby.
It’s legal, so doesn’t that mean it’s safe?
The fact that it’s legal does not make it safe. Using cannabis during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may harm your baby, just like alcohol or tobacco.
It’s natural, so doesn’t that mean it’s safe?
Cannabis contains THC, which may harm your baby. Not all natural substances or plants are safe — think of lead, tobacco, and poisonous berries as examples.
What about using it for medical reasons?
It’s unsafe to use any medicines while pregnant or breastfeeding that are not recommended by a doctor. In special cases, a doctor can decide whether the benefits of cannabis are greater than the risks, and can recommend cannabis while pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about safer choices that do not risk harming your baby.
Don’t cannabinoids occur naturally in your body?
Some cannabinoids, which are called endocannabinoids, occur naturally in the body and can help your nerve cells communicate better. However, THC from cannabis is much stronger and can upset the natural endocannabinoid system in both your body and your baby’s body.
Can I use it to treat my nausea?
No matter how it’s used or what it’s being used to treat, THC always gets passed to your baby. Talk to your health care provider about safer options that do not risk harming your baby.
Is it still harmful if I vape or eat cannabis instead of smoking it?
Cannabis in any form contains THC, which is passed to your baby and can cause harm.
LEGAL AND ADDICTION
RESOURCES
Get the help you need with these resources.
Cannabis and newborn babies
Some hospitals test babies after birth for drugs. If your baby tests positive for THC at birth, Colorado cannabis law says the hospital must notify child protective services. Talk to your doctor early in your pregnancy to get the support you need for your health and the health of your baby. Your doctor can help connect you with treatments that are confidential and nonjudgmental.
What to do if children accidentally get into cannabis.
If your child eats or drinks cannabis, they may need immediate medical help. Some symptoms to look out for include: problems walking or sitting up, difficulty breathing, and becoming sleepy. If a child may have eaten cannabis, call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222, or call 911 if it’s an emergency.
We’re here for you.
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and need support to stop using cannabis. Your treatment will be confidential and nonjudgmental. Learn more by calling 1-800-CHILDREN.