Trends in Marijuana Use Among Pregnant and Nonpregnant Reproductive-Aged Women, 2002-2014

Abstract

Between 2001 and 2013, marijuana use among US adults more than doubled, many states legalized marijuana use, and attitudes toward marijuana became more permissive. 1 In aggregated 2007-2012 data, 3.9% of pregnant women and 7.6% of nonpregnant reproductiveaged women reported pastmonth marijuana use. 2 Although the evidence is mixed, human and animal studies suggest that prenatal marijuana exposure may be associated with poor offspring outcomes (eg, low birth weight, impaired neurodevelopment). 3 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women and women contemplating pregnancy be screened for and discouraged from using marijuana and other substances. 4 Whether marijuana use has changed over time among pregnant and nonpregnant reproductive-aged women is unknown.

Characteristics of drug use among pregnant women in the United States: Opioid and non-opioid illegal drug use

“…Aggregated data from all cohorts of pregnant women aged 18–44 who reported past-year, nonmedical opioid use and/or other non-opioid illegal drug use (other than marijuana) were examined ( N = 818). Analyses were restricted to this subset of women, which is consistent with previous literature examining prenatal substance use among adults (Brown et al, 2017; Ko et al, 2015). The weighted interview response rates ranged from 71.2–76.0% annually.…”

Trends in perception of risk of regular marijuana use among US pregnant and nonpregnant reproductive-aged women

“…1,2 Marijuana use among pregnant and reproductive-aged women increased 62% in the last decade. 3 Our objective was to investigate time trends in the perception of the risk of regular marijuana use among US pregnant and nonpregnant reproductive-age women.…”

Cannabis use during pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics and effects on child development

“…In fact, data collected from 2002–2014 in the U.S. indicate that 7.5% of pregnant women between 18 and 25 years of age use cannabis, while the rate of use in all pregnant women is approximately 4% (Brown et al, 2016). This statistic places cannabis firmly in the bull’s-eye of public health concerns and suggests that thousands, if not millions, of infants will be prenatally exposed to this chemically-complex compound over the coming decades.…”