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.