The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) has issued decisive new clinical guidance declaring there is no safe level of marijuana during pregnancy and recommending universal screening for cannabis use throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum periods.
The authoritative medical organisation’s statement directly challenges the increasingly prevalent misconception that cannabis represents a safe or beneficial option for expectant mothers, citing substantial evidence linking marijuana use to serious maternal and neonatal health risks.
Clear Medical Consensus on Pregnancy Cannabis Risks:
ACOG’s new clinical consensus addresses a troubling public health trend head-on. The organisation’s statement explains: “Despite the fact that cannabis use in pregnancy has been associated with spontaneous preterm birth, low birth weight, NICU admissions, and postnatal neurocognitive and behavioural dysfunction, there is a misperception in the general public that cannabis is safe for use during pregnancy due to its increasing availability, legalisation, and social acceptability.”
The guidance represents a significant intervention by one of the most respected medical bodies in obstetrics, joining numerous other expert organisations in warning against cannabis use during this critical period.
No Therapeutic Justification for Cannabis Use:
Perhaps most significantly, ACOG explicitly rejects claims that marijuana during pregnancy serves any legitimate medical purpose. The organisation states unequivocally: “There is no medical indication for cannabis use during pregnancy and the postpartum period.”
This position directly contradicts marketing narratives suggesting cannabis can safely address conditions including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain, as well as pregnancy-related symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The medical consensus from this non-partisan, highly credentialed field could not be clearer: pregnant cannabis use offers no therapeutic benefit whilst carrying substantial risks. (for complete Research WRD News)