Cannabidiol-Only Product Use in Pregnancy in the United States and Canada

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize pregnant individuals’ use of cannabidiol (CBD). Data are from the International Cannabis Policy Study (2019–2021), a repeated cross-sectional survey of individuals aged 16–65 years in the United States and Canada (N=66,457 women, including 1,096 pregnant women). The primary analysis compared pregnant and nonpregnant women's CBD-only product use patterns and reasons for use. The prevalence of CBD-only use in pregnant women was 20.4% compared with 11.3% among nonpregnant women, P<.001. Reasons for CBD use among pregnant women included anxiety (58.4%), depression (40.3%), posttraumatic stress disorder (32.1%); pain (52.3%), headache (35.6%), and nausea or vomiting (31.9%). Thus, CBD-only product use was prevalent in this large sample, with one in five pregnant women reporting use. Characterization of prenatal CBD use is an important first step to exploring potential risks to exposed offspring.