1. The perceptions of the safety of cannabis use among pregnant women
- Author
-
Akhtar, Mariam M.
- Subjects
- Medicine, Cannabis, Perceptions, Pregnant, Safety
- Abstract
Cannabis or marijuana is one of the earliest cultivated plants by man. It was used for a variety of reasons for over five millennia, until the mid-20th century, where the US government illegalized it and lobbied other countries in the West to do the same. However, in the last four decades there has been a revived interest in using cannabis for its medicinal and recreational properties with a little less than half of the states in the union having moved to legalize the plant for both medicinal and recreational purposes. While this move has a variety of benefits, we have reached a point where legalization has given people the perception that there is no harm in ingesting cannabis, including women of reproductive age. Pregnant women increasingly feel that cannabis use is a good treatment for anxiety, stress, and nausea. However, a fetus is extremely fragile throughout pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Furthermore, studies show that 51% of pregnancies are a result of unintended pregnancy making it likely that women use cannabis unintentionally at a point where they may be doing their child more harm than they realize. This study hopes to contribute to the body of literature surrounding perceptions around cannabis use during reproductive age and pregnancy. These group of women in the US are at risk of receiving misinformation putting either themselves, their child, or both at risk for negative effects of cannabis use. Understanding the perceptions and beliefs of these women – what is driving them to use and how we can better inform them – is vital for future public health efforts.
- Published
- 2022