Cannabis, alcohol and tobacco
Three studies examined cannabis use in pregnancy alongside alcohol and tobacco in the US and Australia, where non-medical cannabis was illegal62-64. In these papers, the main decision participants considered was whether or not to cease or decrease their pre-pregnancy cannabis consumption rate during pregnancy 62-64. One paper also addressed resuming or changing patterns of use postpartum64.
The harms of cannabis use during pregnancy are a main focus of this research. Participants considered harm to the fetus as a primary concern, with harm to own health, addiction, stress and withdrawal symptoms from quitting also addressed 62-64. Few benefits of cannabis use were discussed, but individual participants in the studies mentioned using cannabis to treat depression and other medical problems 63 or to manage stress and forget problems 63, 64.
When considering whether to stop or reduce use, social factors were important with the level of concern from family and friends mentioned as influential in all papers 62-64. Intervention or counselling from healthcare providers was motivating for some participants 64. Information-seeking was not mentioned in any article. Despite the fact that recreational cannabis was illegal in all jurisdictions where these studies were conducted, legal implications are not mentioned in these studies.