Pregnancy and Childbirth • Nov. 2, 2024, 9:26 a.m.

Study Reveals Concerns Over Marijuana Use Among Pregnant Women

Study Reveals Concerns Over Marijuana Use Among Pregnant Women

A new study from the University of Georgia College of Public Health has highlighted that approximately 6% of pregnant women reported using marijuana in the past month, with many not recognizing the associated health risks. Lead researcher Mohammad Rifat Haider emphasizes the critical need for education regarding marijuana use during pregnancy. Published in *The American Journal on Addictions*, the study analyzed responses from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, finding that among 4,338 pregnant mothers, 5.7% had used marijuana recently. Alarmingly, 70.9% of these women perceived little to no risk linked to marijuana use during pregnancy, despite its known associations with low birth weight, premature birth, and neurodevelopmental issues.

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Materials provided by University of Georgia. The original text of this story is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

  • Mohammad Rifat Haider, Sabrina Karim, Jayani Jayawardhana, Nathan B. Hansen, Zelalem T. Haile. Association between state‐level medical marijuana legalization and marijuana use during pregnancy: A population‐based study. The American Journal on Addictions, 2024; DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13651