Cannabis in pregnancy and effects on the fetus, newborn and childhood: systematic review

Introduction and clinical context

The study Cannabis in pregnancy and effects on the fetus, newborn and childhood: systematic review (PubMed · 2023) is part of the scientific research on the use of cannabinoids in pregnancy.

This section is a warning. The available evidence associates cannabis use in pregnancy with adverse neonatal outcomes — such as preterm birth and low birth weight — and with possible impacts on fetal and child development. For this reason, guidelines advise against cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is also attention to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Pregnant women should always talk to their doctor before any use.

Understanding what science shows about the use of cannabinoids in pregnancy helps patients and healthcare professionals make safer, well-founded decisions, based on evidence rather than common sense.

Methodology and findings

This scientific review gathered and critically appraised the available literature on the topic. Review: prenatal exposure associated with impacts on fetal and child development. Use advised against. As a synthesis of multiple studies, it offers a more robust picture than isolated reports, though it depends on the quality of the included works. For clinical practice, syntheses like this help calibrate expectations and support clinical decisions.

Mechanism of action and safety

This section is a safety warning. THC crosses the placenta and is excreted in breast milk, and prenatal exposure to cannabinoids has been associated with adverse outcomes and possible impacts on neurodevelopment. For this reason, guidelines advise against cannabis use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is also the risk of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a paradoxical picture of intense vomiting. Given the uncertainties and potential harms, the recommendation is maximum caution: no pregnant woman should use cannabis without explicit medical guidance.

Regulation in Brazil (Anvisa)

In Brazil, access to cannabis products is regulated by Anvisa — mainly through RDC 660/2022 (patient import with a medical prescription) and the new manufacturing and import framework, RDC 1,015/2026. Any therapeutic use must start from an individualized medical assessment and prescription. This content is informative and scientific and does not replace the guidance of a healthcare professional.

This is informative content produced by Brazcann; for the full methodology and detailed results, consult the original publication (PubMed · 2023). Access to cannabis treatments must always occur through the regulated pathway, with a prescription and medical follow-up.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use cannabis in pregnancy?

Guidelines advise against it: there is an association with adverse outcomes. Always talk to your doctor.

What is cannabinoid hyperemesis?

A paradoxical picture of intense vomiting linked to cannabis use, relevant in pregnancy.