Why Pregnant and Nursing Mothers Should Avoid Marijuana According to Science and Common Sense
As marijuana becomes legal in more states, its use has quietly crept into corners of life where it may do more harm than good. One of those corners is pregnancy and early motherhood.
Back in 2002, only about 2.3% of pregnant women reported using marijuana. By 2014, that number had jumped to 3.8%, a two-thirds increase. At the same time, marijuana itself has gotten stronger: the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) , the compound responsible for the “high” , has quadrupled.
That combination (more use + stronger potency) raises an important and sobering question: what does marijuana do to developing babies?
THC and Pregnancy: What We Know So Far
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has already waved a big red flag. THC crosses the placenta with ease, meaning it doesn’t just stay in the mother’s bloodstream it makes its way directly into the baby’s.
Why does that matter? Because a baby’s brain is still wiring itself together during pregnancy. THC can disrupt that delicate wiring process, potentially leading to lifelong effects. Studies suggest prenatal marijuana exposure may impair executive function the brain’s ability to focus, plan, control impulses, and solve problems. These aren’t just “school skills.” They’re life skills.
Some studies even hint at a higher risk of mental health struggles and substance use disorders later in life for kids exposed to marijuana in the womb.
What About Breastfeeding?
Here’s the tricky part: the risk doesn’t end at birth. THC also passes into breast milk, which means nursing mothers can still transfer it to their babies. And infant brains don’t stop developing once they leave the womb; they're in rapid-growth mode for at least the first three years of life.
Exposure during this period may affect brain development, learning, and behavior in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Add to that the dangers of secondhand smoke, and you’ve got a cocktail of risk no parent would willingly pour into a bottle.
Is There a “Safe” Amount?
The short answer: no one knows. Just like with alcohol during pregnancy, there’s no proven safe amount of marijuana. The safest option is complete avoidance, no smoking, no edibles, no oils during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or around young children.
Yes, some women turn to marijuana for pregnancy nausea, but safer alternatives exist, from dietary changes to doctor-approved medications. When in doubt, talk to a healthcare provider before self-medicating.
The Bigger Picture: Parenting as a Long Game
Pregnancy and early parenting are full of sacrifices, some small, some huge. Choosing not to use marijuana may feel like another thing being “taken away” during this stage of life. But here’s the truth: these aren’t really sacrifices, they're investments.
The brain your baby is building right now is the brain they will use to learn, to love, to thrive. Every choice you make, including this one, shapes that future.
When you’re pregnant or nursing, it’s no longer just about you. It’s about laying the foundation for your child’s lifelong health—and that’s a responsibility worth showing up for, clear-headed and fully present.
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