Surreal illustration of the potential impact of cannabis on fetal development.

Perinatal Marijuana Use: What Every Parent Needs to Know About Cannabis and Child Development

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore the facts, separate the myths, and learn how cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation can impact your child's future."

The conversation around cannabis is rapidly evolving. With increasing acceptance and legalization, it's easy to overlook potential risks, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and developing children. While some promote cannabis as a safe alternative for managing pain or reducing opioid dependence, the reality is more complex.

It's essential to understand that cannabis isn't a benign substance, particularly during critical developmental stages. The psychoactive component, THC, readily crosses the placental barrier and can impact a child's neurodevelopment. So, let's delve into the facts and address the concerns surrounding perinatal marijuana use.

This article aims to clarify the potential risks associated with cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation. By providing a clear understanding of the science, we hope to empower parents to make informed decisions about their health and their children's well-being. This information is inspired by the JAMA Viewpoint article: Perinatal Marijuana Use and the Developing Child.

How Does Marijuana Affect Fetal Development?

Surreal illustration of the potential impact of cannabis on fetal development.

THC, the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, poses a direct threat to a developing fetus. It readily crosses the placental barrier, exposing the baby's delicate brain to its effects. This exposure can disrupt the crucial endocannabinoid system, which plays a pivotal role in: fetal and postnatal brain development, neuronal connectivity, glial cell differentiation.

Because the endocannabinoid system uses neuromodulators of multiple central neurotransmitter systems, it is essential for fetal brain development. Prenatal THC exposure is concerning because it can lead to structural and functional neurodevelopment issues.

Brain Development Disruption: THC can interfere with the formation of neural pathways and brain structures, potentially impacting cognitive function later in life.
Neurotransmitter Imbalance: The proper function of dopamine, opioid, glutamate, and GABAergic systems can be altered, affecting mood, reward processing, and stress response.
Epigenetic Changes: Prenatal cannabis exposure may even lead to epigenetic modifications, impacting future generations.

The timing and duration of exposure also matter significantly. Whether a mother uses cannabis during the first, second, or third trimester can result in different effects on the child's development. More research is needed to fully understand these varying impacts and patterns of cannabis use during pregnancy.

The Bottom Line: Consistent Advice is Crucial

Given the potential risks, the most responsible course of action is to abstain from cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation. Medical professionals should provide consistent advice, emphasizing the importance of avoiding THC exposure to protect the developing child. For women struggling with cannabis use disorder (CUD), accessible and tailored treatment programs are essential, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. Further, both women and men caring for developing children should maintain abstinence.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1001/jama.2018.8401, Alternate LINK

Title: Perinatal Marijuana Use And The Developing Child

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: JAMA

Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)

Authors: Lauren M. Jansson, Chloe J. Jordan, Martha L. Velez

Published: 2018-08-14

Everything You Need To Know

What specific risks does marijuana use during pregnancy pose to a developing fetus?

The primary risk stems from THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana, which readily crosses the placental barrier. This exposure can disrupt the fetal endocannabinoid system, crucial for brain development, neuronal connectivity, and glial cell differentiation. Potential consequences include brain development disruption, neurotransmitter imbalance (affecting dopamine, opioid, glutamate, and GABAergic systems), and even epigenetic changes.

How does THC exposure specifically disrupt a baby's brain development in utero?

THC interference can manifest in several ways. It can disrupt the formation of neural pathways and brain structures, potentially impacting cognitive function later in life. Furthermore, THC exposure can alter the function of neurotransmitter systems like dopamine, opioid, glutamate, and GABAergic systems, affecting mood, reward processing, and stress response. There is also concern that prenatal cannabis exposure may lead to epigenetic modifications, impacting future generations. More research is needed to fully understand these varying impacts and patterns of cannabis use during pregnancy.

Why is the endocannabinoid system so important in fetal development, and how does THC affect it?

The endocannabinoid system is essential for fetal brain development because it uses neuromodulators of multiple central neurotransmitter systems. THC disrupts this system because it crosses the placental barrier and affects the baby's delicate brain. Prenatal THC exposure is concerning because it can lead to structural and functional neurodevelopment issues.

What should medical professionals advise pregnant women regarding cannabis use?

Given the potential risks associated with THC exposure during pregnancy and lactation, medical professionals should consistently advise complete abstinence from cannabis use. This recommendation is crucial to protect the developing child from potential neurodevelopmental issues. For women struggling with cannabis use disorder (CUD), accessible and tailored treatment programs are essential, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. Further, both women and men caring for developing children should maintain abstinence.

Beyond pregnancy, what considerations should be taken for cannabis use during lactation and by caregivers?

The responsible course of action is to abstain from cannabis use during lactation because of the potential risks of THC exposure to the baby. Further, both women and men caring for developing children should maintain abstinence. The article does not specify the impacts during lactation, but the impact during pregnancy is significant.